Real Madrid has broken an existing gentlemen’s agreement with Atlético Madrid, it has been revealed Cadena SER Wednesday. Both clubs have had a pact for years to leave each other’s youth players alone. However, that has recently changed after Álvaro Arbeloa, youth coach at Real, removed a player from Atlético.
Arbeloa, former player of the Royal and youth coach of Real Madrid Juvenil A, approached the talented Jesús Fortea from Atlético last season for a switch. The fifteen-year-old talent now plays for the Arbeloa team. Last season, his team had to recognize its superior in Atlético’s peers. That team is led by Borja Resurreccion, the brother of Atlético player Koke. After the season, Arbeloa would have approached Fortea and the talent actually made the switch within the Spanish capital last summer.
Cadena SER reports that both clubs made a pact years ago not to attract players from each other’s youth academy out of respect for each other. Reportedly, Real ignores that rule. However, Real does not see this as an attack on the fellow townsman. Journalist Antón Meana reported that Real Atlético is treated just like any other Laliga club and can therefore ‘just’ approach players. The Royal would not specifically approach Atlético talents to ‘plunder’ the fellow townsman. Sources close to Real also deny that players from the rival are being approached.
According to Meana, Real logically scouts a lot in the immediate region of Madrid. “Every summer, on average, between seven or eight players from Rayo Vallecano, Getafe or Leganés come to Valdebebas.” Meana also reported that many young players from the Madrid region offer themselves to Real and that Atlético also approached players who would have already signed for Real. Meanwhile, Fortea is seen as one of the greatest talents at Valdebebas, Real’s training complex. The only fifteen-year-old central defender already plays with Real’s Under 19 and is a youth international for Spain Under 17.
Related
More sports news
0 comments