Real Madrid lure yet another academy talent from Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Death, taxes and Real Madrid taking academy players from Atletico: these can be called the three certainties in life.

Real Madrid effectively broke a long-standing “non-aggression pact” with Atletico Madrid to sign highly-rated youth players.

The list has been growing in recent years. Jesus Fortea was the most symbolic case, with his move widely seen as the moment the old academy truce between the two Madrid clubs fully broke down.

Aimar Garcia, Gabriel Suarez, Ariel Nkoghe and Yeremaiah have also left Atletico Madrid’s academy for Real Madrid, with Adrian Bielsa now becoming the latest name to follow that same path.

According to journalist Rodra, Bielsa is leaving Atletico’s academy to join Real Madrid.

Jesus Fortea is one of the biggest names that Real Madrid lured from Atletico academy. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

The move will naturally cause frustration at Atletico, where there has been growing irritation over young players crossing to Valdebebas in recent years.

For Los Blancos, though, this is simply the club acting aggressively in a market where elite youth talent is now just as competitive as first-team recruitment.

The academy battle continues

Bielsa becomes the latest example of Real Madrid trying to strengthen their youth structure by identifying players close to home.

That strategy makes sense. Real Madrid cannot only build the future through huge first-team signings.

The club also need to keep improving La Fabrica, especially in positions where long-term depth can save money later.

Bielsa is still very young, so this should not be treated like a first-team transfer. It is very much a developmental bet.

A smart move, not a headline signing

Reinforcing not only the first team but also the academy. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

What Real Madrid are doing here is simple: adding potential early.

At youth level, small details matter, and getting a promising player into the club’s own development environment can make a major difference over time.

Atletico may feel this as another blow, but Madrid’s job is not to protect their rival’s academy. Their job is to make sure the best possible young players are wearing white if the opportunity exists.

That said, caution needs to be exercised in this regard. Many academy signings never reach the first team, and the path at Real Madrid is especially difficult. Talent is only the starting point.

What this tells us, though, is that the club are watching local talent closely, and it remains to be seen how Bielsa develops in the academy.