Real Madrid have sold a lot of academy players this summer. And those weren’t just any rejects, but some of the biggest names who had long carried Castilla’s hopes.
The thing with Real Madrid is that even if you are the best academy player, there is no guarantee you will make it to the first team. You need to have a certain mettle to make the cut. I think Gonzalo Garcia is a name who can make that cut. Raul Asencio already has.
A few seasons ago, there was another name once considered in this league: Miguel Gutierrez. He was touted as the next big thing on the left flank, and many fans wanted him promoted to the first team. But he eventually fell off and didn’t stay long before being sold to Girona.
Real Madrid about to profit from the sale of Miguel Gutierrez
According to Fabrizio Romano, Gutierrez is close to joining Serie A side Napoli in the coming days for a fee that could exceed 18 million.
Real Madrid had reserved a 50% sell-on clause in the deal with Girona, meaning that whatever transfer fee is agreed between Girona and Napoli, Los Blancos will receive half of it directly.
It’s important to understand that Madrid have overturned their purse this summer. They’ve spent heavily on four big signings, so this unexpected influx of funds is a welcome development.
Gutierrez was once seen as a potential starting left-back for Real Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti’s fixation on Ferland Mendy blocked his path. Mendy, about three years on from that moment, is now the third-choice left-back, and Real Madrid are open to selling him if the opportunity arises.
Gutierrez has always been an elegant player, showing much more attacking flair than Mendy ever did. But that came with certain shortcomings in his defensive game. In hindsight, I think Real Madrid made the right decision to sell him. His position was never going to be guaranteed under Carlo Ancelotti.