Manu Serrano, Real Madrid player
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Real Madrid academy graduate Manu Serrano is set to continue his development away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with the young left-back heading to Deportivo La Coruña in search of regular senior football.
According to MARCA, the 22-year-old will join Deportivo and initially link up with the club’s reserve team.
The move is nevertheless understood to offer a clear pathway towards the first team, with his multi-year contract including the possibility of a promotion as early as next season.
For Serrano, the transfer brings an end to a long spell at the Real Madrid academy and opens the door to a new chapter at a club looking to establish itself again at the highest level of Spanish football.
Manu Serrano leaves Real Madrid
Serrano joined Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2018 after arriving from Getafe at the age of 14.
Manu Serrano, Real Madrid player
Manu Serrano is set to move to Deportivo. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Over the following years, he worked his way through the various age groups at La Fábrica before eventually establishing himself as part of the Real Madrid Castilla setup.
His journey through the academy also gave him the chance to make an official appearance for Real Madrid’s first team.
That moment arrived last May in a victory over Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu. Serrano was introduced in the 84th minute, marking his senior debut for Los Blancos.
The youngster replaced Dani Carvajal on what was the captain’s final appearance in the white shirt, making Serrano’s brief but memorable introduction one he is unlikely to forget.
Despite reaching the first team, Serrano faced an extremely difficult battle for consistent opportunities at Real Madrid.
The competition for places at a club of that stature naturally makes it difficult for many academy players to secure the regular playing time needed for their development.
Deportivo now offers Serrano a fresh opportunity to build his senior career.
Although he will initially begin with the reserve side, there is a clear route towards the first-team squad if he can make the desired impression.
Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid player
Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
All of Real Madrid’s transfer plans, at this point, depend directly on sales and the club have faced a dead end on that front.
After all, it is difficult to push for a player exit at a club of Real Madrid’s stature where a contract with even a bench role is something players opt to push through.
Over the past month, Real Madrid have seen two players to be particularly transferable – Eduardo Camavinga and Raul Asencio – but both players have refused to leave and insist on proving their worth.
A critical development
At this point, Real Madrid are in dire need of a new midfielder despite all that is being publicly portrayed. Camavinga’s sale, on that front, is an essential prerequisite.
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid
Camavinga has been exit-linked for a long time. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
As reported by El Larguero in a recent update, there may be something massive brewing behind the scenes to facilitate the Frenchman’s exit. After all, Manchester United are now getting into the thick of things.
The Red Devils are reportedly already preparing an offer to send Real Madrid’s way – one that is close to the €50 million mark. They see Camavinga as a player who can elevate their midfield and could well make the offer formally in the coming hours.
What remains to be seen is whether Real Madrid deem that sum to be sufficient and if the player sees a move to Old Trafford as well.
As reported earlier this week, Real Madrid have been anticipating offers from the Premier League for a while now. They know full well of the midfield deficiencies in several top clubs and the inevitable offers that would pour in.
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid
Manchester United are preparing an offer for Camavinga. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
As expected, Manchester United’s offer for Camavinga is imminent and may even be followed by more proposals. All that remains is for the player to open the door to an exit.
In his first league game as manager, Jose Mourinho made it clear that he sees Bernardo Silva and Federico Valverde as his preferred deep midfielders.
Given that even Aurelien Tchouameni is an option for the same position, it is clear that Camavinga will not have prominence.
In case the player opts to leave, Real Madrid already have their backup target locked in place and will immediately activate the operation.