While Barcelona’s idea has always been to grow talents from the grassroots levels and mould them to the needs of the first team, Real Madrid have only recently begun looking towards the youth market more closely.
Los Blancos, who have been known to splash the cash on the profiles they need, are now increasingly investing in young talents as is evidenced by the signings of Arda Guler, Franco Mastantuono and Endrick.
Now, as relayed by Fichajes, Real Madrid have found their next youth target and it is shockingly a player who currently plays for Barcelona.
An academy gem
The player in question, who Real Madrid have their sights on, is Ebrima Tunkara, a 15-year-old talent in La Masia whose contract runs out in 2026.
Despite being just 15, Tunkara is already seen as one of the academy’s top prospects who can mark an era at the club, but Real Madrid plan to swoop him away before he develops any further in Catalonia.
The teenager is capable of playing as both a midfielder and a left-winger based on the team’s need, and his versatility excites the Merengues who eye him as an ideal candidate to groom in the long haul. Barcelona, however, understandably refuse to part ways with him.
GOOOOOOLAZO! Incredible goal by 15yo Ebrima Tunkara. Assist by Alex Campos. Ebrima with a brace. 1-3 pic.twitter.com/u4GkL0IpV0
— ArsenKveFCB (@ArsenKveFCB) November 1, 2025
As it stands, the Blaugrana wish to fight and tempt the player with a renewal to stay and continue growing in the academy which has seen several players hit the jackpot in the first team in recent years.
With his contract running out in the summer, however, the ball is completely in Tunkara’s court for there is little doubt that Real Madrid’s offer will be economically superior.
The coming months will be crucial in deciding the 15-year-old star’s future as he stares at complicated crossroads.
On one side, he has a renewal proposal from his boyhood club and on the other, a proposal to join their eternal rivals.
Needless to say, it will be a complicated decision for him to make especially given how the two clubs are historically arch-rivals.