Real Madrid, Barcelona set sights on 19-year-old Ajax wonderkid – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Barcelona are always on the lookout for young talents to improve their squad and have often gone head-to-head for transfers, especially in recent years.

Indeed, the likes of Pablo Torre, Arda Guler, Endrick, and Franco Mastantuono were all being pursued by both the Spanish heavyweights in recent years.

And it appears that another young prospect, making waves in the Netherlands, is set to spark an El Clasico battle in the summer of 2026.

Real Madrid, Barcelona interested in Rayane Bounida

Indeed, according to AS, Rayane Bounida, the highly-rated Ajax youngster is a target for both Barcelona and Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.

Born in Vilvoorde, Belgium, in 2006, the 19-year-old has attracted growing attention due to his development at Ajax, whom he joined in 2022 from the Anderlecht academy.

Sources close to the situation claim that both Real Madrid and Barcelona have intensified their internal monitoring, with detailed reports already prepared on the young attacking midfielder, who is of Moroccan descent and has already represented Belgium at Under-21 level.

Rayane Bounida of Ajax (R) could spark a Clasico war. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

So far, Bounida has made 13 senior appearances for the Dutch giants, in which he has scored one and assisted five goals.

The 19-year-old starlet’s technical ability, creativity and long-term potential are seen as an ideal fit for the projects being developed at both the Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.

Although no formal approach has yet been made, the interest is described as “strong, deliberate and strategic,” and his situation is being closely monitored.

Ajax remain calm and focused on the player’s development, with his contract secured until 2028.

But behind the scenes Europe’s biggest clubs are positioning themselves, fully aware that Bounida is regarded as one of the most exciting footballers of his generation.