Manuel Angel of Real Madrid
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Real Madrid have spent much of the summer focusing on signings for the first team but have now pivoted towards sales in Castilla.
The club’s academy is filled with talented players who need regular game time in the upcoming seasons to aid their development.
Los Blancos’ first team is absolutely stacked, and such players will have to move elsewhere to try to build a career for themselves.
Now, according to Arancha Rodriguez, 22-year-old midfielder Manuel Angel appears to be on the verge of leaving the club, with a move to Almeria on the cards.
Almeria move nears completion
The young midfielder is “one step away” from joining the Andalusian side. Only the final details remain before the deal is completed.
For Manuel Angel, the move would offer a clearer route to regular senior football after finding first-team opportunities difficult to come by at Real Madrid.
Manuel Angel and Cesar Palacios of Real Madrid
Manuel Angel (L) set to leave Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The midfielder has long been regarded as one of the more technically gifted players to emerge from La Fabrica.
However, it is almost impossible for him to get a look in considering the absolutely stacked midfield at Jose Mourinho’s disposal.
Regular minutes now the priority
Real Madrid currently have several established options in the middle of the pitch, while younger players such as Thiago Pitarch are also being pushed closer to the first-team structure.
That leaves Manuel Angel in a difficult position if he remains.
At this stage of his career, consistent minutes may be more valuable than staying around Valdebebas without a realistic chance of playing regularly.
Almeria could provide exactly that opportunity.
The door is never closed on the future
The most important thing to remember is that an exit for the 22-year-old this summer does not mean his time at Real Madrid has come to an end.
Manuel Angel of Real Madrid
Almeria-bound. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Blancos tend to hold the future rights of talented Castilla players they sell to be able to bring them back should they develop as expected.
It gives Angel further motivation to go away, work on his game, become a regular feature at Almeria and put himself on Real Madrid’s radar.
All young players at Real Madrid have the role model of Nico Paz, who has moved to Como and developed into an incredible talent.
Los Blancos may have bought him back and sold him on this summer but they continue to value the development of such talented youngsters.
It remains to be seen whether Manuel Angel’s Almeria move goes through and how he develops at the second-tier club.
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Liverpool, Real Madrid scarf
Real Madrid have signed a gem from Granada. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)