Most people expected Jose Mourinho to be on the move this summer after spending a couple of seasons at AS Roma. But the Portuguese manager has surprised many by staying put in the Italian capital. And now, the club have managed to sign one of the most highly-rated young talents to have come through the Real Madrid youth ranks in recent years.
The player in question is Julen Jon Guerrero. He is a 19-year-old midfielder, who is at his best in the number 10 role. He is also the son of Athletic Bilbao legend, Julen Guerrero.
Guerrero might have been very highly-rated in the Real Madrid youth ranks but he had never broken into the senior team. And last season in January, he was sent out on loan to SD Amorebieta, who play in the third tier of Spanish football.
His time at Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end much sooner than expected though. As tweeted out by Fabrizio Romano, AS Roma are signing Guerrero from Real Madrid. He joins the Italian club on loan with a free buy option clause. Los Blancos will retain a 50% sell-on clause.
Mourinho’s AS Roma sign Real Madrid player
AS Roma might be a good place for Guerrero to develop his game further. It will be interesting to see though whether they put him in the senior team immediately or have him come through the youth ranks.
Real Madrid have a great record in recent years of signing young talents from around the globe and developing them into first-team superstars. The same cannot be said when it comes to their own youth players though, who have not gotten enough chances to show what they are capable.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Guerrero at AS Roma. We can only wish him the best moving forward.