Real Madrid's transfer strategy is to focus on signing youth and it feels as though Xabi Alonso wasn't too fond of this. There are reports suggesting that he had pushed for the club to sign Martin Zubimendi last summer but Los Blancos' recruitment staff refused and instead swooped for Argentine youngster Franco Mastantuono.
Alonso left Madrid on Monday following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final. The La Liga giants were already preparing their plans for the summer transfer window before his exit and that includes signing a creative midfielder with Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, 21, and AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, 19, on their radar.
Another young exciting talent is now on Madrid's wishlist which raises concerns about the direction of the club moving forward. It's clear that more experienced leaders are needed following a dissapointing Alonso reign.
Real Madrid eyeing English starlet
Defensa Central reports that Madrid is among the clubs showing interest in Leicester City teenage prospect Lorenz Hutchinson. The 17-year-old also has Manchester United watching his progress amid a fine run of form in the Foxes' youth team.
Hutchinson is a clinical goalscorer who has found the back of the net 13 times in 11 U18 Premier League games this season. He is shining up top for the EFL Championship outfit's youth team and earning a place in their reserve side.
Nottingham Forest are also keeping tabs on the English youngster but the pull of Madrid would surely pay dividends. He is claimed to possess "exceptional physical strength, a keen eye for goal, and remarkable maturity."
Real Madrid's focus should be experience
Does Madrid really need to be focusing on improving the youth team at this stage when the senior squad is crying out for more experienced faces? The full focus should be on improving Los Blancos' first team, which clearly has issues, especially from a mentality perspective, with rumors of player power leading to Alonso's departure.
Gonzalo Garcia is already backing up Kylian Mbappe and, at 21, has a long future ahead of him. Jaime Barroso is catching the eye in Madrid's U19 team, with the 18-year-old having bagged five goals in 11 Segunda Federacion games this season.
It's fine to be planning to bolster the youth team but when there's no news regarding possible proven names arriving in the summer, it is a worry. The senior team is in transition following Carlo Ancelotti's departure last year and needs refreshing with both youth and experience.