Real Madrid set to sign 18-year-old Atletico Madrid academy gem – report | OneFootball

It has been three years since Real Madrid signed Jesus Fortea from the Atletico Madrid youth setup, breaking a pact that existed between the two clubs to not raid each other’s academies for young talents.

Since then, there have been a number of youth players who have switched sides between the two Spanish capital clubs, with another one set to do so in the summer.

Real Madrid land Aimar Garcia from Atletico Madrid

Indeed, according to AS, Real Madrid have secured the signing of young defender Aimar Garcia from the Atletico Madrid youth ranks.

Garcia, 18, is a central defender with significant potential and an imposing physical presence, currently playing for Atletico C.

Aimar began in Villaverde’s academy, moved to Rayo Vallecano and even had a spell at Real Madrid earlier in his youth career. Injuries slowed his progress but he got back on track at Getafe before spending the past three years at Atletico.

In recent seasons he had not fully established himself as undisputed, which partly explains why, with his contract expiring in June, he had not renewed and was not firmly included in Atletico’s future plans.

However, Real Madrid, convinced of his potential, had been monitoring him for some time and have now decided to act.

Beyond Los Blancos’ scouts, first-team manager Alvaro Arbeloa had already taken note of him, as he also featured in the Juvenil A team competing in the UEFA Youth League. Now, he will make his way to La Fabrica in June when his contract expires.

Real Madrid followed the standard protocol by formally notifying the academy through official channels of their intention to begin negotiations. Mateu Alemany, Atleti’s sporting director, and Emilio Gutierrez, the academy general director, have been informed.

Aimar does not yet know with certainty where he will start next season, whether in Real Madrid C or directly in Castilla. It is not ruled out that he could begin pre-season with one side and finish with the other.