Real Madrid close to landing teenage talent compared to Roberto Carlos | OneFootball

Real Madrid are once again looking to the future. 

According to a report from Defensa Central, Los Blancos are on the verge of completing the signing of 16-year-old Alaves defender Victory Okorie, one of the most highly rated young full-backs in Spanish youth football.

The teenager has attracted attention from several major clubs, but Madrid appear to have moved decisively to secure his services. 

Within scouting circles, Okorie’s physical explosiveness has drawn loose online comparisons to Roberto Carlos, not in terms of level or legacy, but in the raw power and attacking energy he shows from the left flank.

The plan is clear. Okorie would join Real Madrid’s academy structure rather than being fast-tracked into the first team. 

At present, the senior squad already has established options at left-back, meaning there is no immediate pathway to regular minutes. Instead, this would be a strategic investment designed to mature over time.

Keeping future in mind

Madrid’s long-term thinking also factors into the move, as Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy remain part of the current setup, but neither represents a decade-long solution. 

Bringing in a 16-year-old with high potential allows the club to shape and develop a future option internally rather than searching for expensive replacements later.

Inside Valdebebas, there is a strong belief in Okorie’s ceiling. He stands out for his athletic power, repeated runs up and down the wing, and a competitive edge rarely seen at his age. 

Importantly, Madrid were not alone in the race. Athletic Club had been closely monitoring the player. However, Real Madrid’s swift action appears to have given them the advantage.

If completed, the deal would reinforce Madrid’s growing dominance in recruiting elite youth prospects across Spain. 

While Okorie is not expected to impact the first team immediately, the club view him as a player who could, with the right development, become a valuable asset in the years ahead.