It seems like Real Madrid are focusing, or settling, for young, talented Spanish players so far this summer, apparently on the verge of adding another midfielder, this time Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad.
According to the Marca, which has made plenty of mistakes and wrong assumptions so far in the last month or so, Illarramendi, who starred alongside Isco (another new Real Madrid player) in the U-21 European championship this summer, is going to be playing for the La Liga Runners Up next season.
Real Madrid had two bids rejected for the player; they began with a €20 million bid, and followed that up with €25 million. Illarramendi, dubbed as the new Xabi Alonso for his passing ability in the deep-laying playmaker role, has a release clause of €30 million.
According to the most recent reports, Real Madrid have finally met Sociedad’s demands for the 23 year old, shortly after being a huge part in Sociedad reaching the Champions League in its current format for only the second time and the first in a decade.
Illarramendi will have to battle with Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Luka Modric for a place in the midfield, and his high transfer fee shouldn’t fool anyone about his chances to start. Real Madrid aren’t a club who offer time and patience for development, and many young, talented and expensive Spanish signings didn’t last long, and sometimes weren’t even given a chance.
However, Ancelotti isn’t Mourinho, and he tends to believe in young players a bit more than the Portuguese manager, who thinks about winning and the short-term, always, instead of sometimes trying to do something that will develop some long-term talents for his club. If Ancelotti won’t be only about winning here and now, Illarramendi has a great chance of becoming a vital part of Real Madrid in the near future.