Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly set to battle for the signature of 16-year-old Real Madrid defender Joan Martinez this summer.
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly set to battle for the signature of 16-year-old Real Madrid defender Joan Martinez this summer.
Martinez has yet to make his senior Real Madrid first-team debut but has featured five times in the Europa League for the club’s Under-19s.
Chelsea have been on a recruitment drive over the past two years, aiming to sign top young talents from around the world and have identified the teenager as a potential target.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, have prioritised strengthening their defensive options this summer after being left short-handed for large periods last season due to injuries.
United have already beaten Los Blancos to the signing of one highly-rated teenage defender this summer in Leny Yoro, and it seems they are now looking to poach the 15-time European champions for another young talent.
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Premier League giants interested in Joan Martinez
According to Spanish outlet AS, both United and Chelsea have been monitoring Martinez’s development and have signalled their interest in signing the highly-rated teenager.
This comes after Martinez featured in Los Blancos’ pre-season friendly against AC Milan on Thursday, where he caught the eye with a brilliant tackle on Alex Jimenez in the dying moments of the match, denying the Italian giants a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
However, the report adds that Real Madrid are not concerned about the future of their rising star, as he has made it clear that he does not have any interest in leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.
It is understood that the youngster turned down offers from several other Spanish clubs, including Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla before joining Los Blancos last summer.
Martinez’s contract with the reigning Spanish and European champions extends until the summer of 2026.
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United, Chelsea wrapping up pre-season tours ahead of new PL campaign
Man United and Chelsea are both on pre-season tours of the US with Erik ten Hag and Enzo Maresca completing final preparations ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The Red Devils kicked off their tour with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal last week but bounced back to beat Real Sociedad 3-2 in San Diego on Friday.
They will face Liverpool this weekend at the William-Brice Stadium in South Carolina before heading back to Manchester ahead of their Community Shield clash with cross-town rivals Manchester City on August 10.
Chelsea, meanwhile, got their tour started with a 2-2 draw against Wrexham in Santa Clara before losing 4-1 to Scottish Premiership champions Celtic on July 27.
The Blues then beat Club America 3-0 in Atlanta last Thursday and will face Manchester City tonight at the Ohio Stadium.