Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on signing a former member of Barcelona's La Masia academy. It's not often an El Clasico club sign a player who has been associated with their rivals.
Luis Figo famously made the move from Barca to Madrid in 2000 in what is regarded by many to be the most controversial transfer in football history. The Portuguese midfielder felt the wrath of the Blaugrana faithful.
But this situation differs because Los Blancos aren't swooping for a current member of the Catalans team. Instead, they are looking to bring the youth starlet to the Estadio Bernabeu from CF Damm, a football club based in Barcelona.
Real Madrid closing in on Barcelona academy product
Rodra of ESPN reports that Madrid are "close to signing Clifford Nana" a 16-year-old winger currently playing for CF Damm. He spent time in Barca's academy before heading to L'Estrella.
There's no word on whether the club needs to pay a compensation fee to the Division de Honor outfit. But Los Blancos are clearly admirers of Nana, and he fits the model of targeting youth and developing them into world-class superstars.
El Real Madrid está cerca de fichar a Clifford Nana.
— Rodra (@Rodra10_97) February 6, 2026
Extremo de 16 años que juega en la DAMM. Antes estuvo en la cantera del Barça.
Víctor Muñoz, que se está saliendo en Osasuna, también fue fichado por el Madrid desde la DAMM. @ESPNDeportes
Franco Mastantuono, 18, Arda Guler, 20, and Endrick, 19, are three wonderkids who have arrived at Madrid in recent windows. The trio are expected to be major players for the club in the future and perhaps the higher-ups see similar potential in Nana.
Some of the most famous players to have emerged from Damm include former Barca duo Aleix Vidal and Christian Tello. Their defensive midfielder Marc Casado also spent time with the Spanish minnows during his youth.
Nana has spent three seasons with Damm having registered back in August 2023. He's described as a pacey and direct winger which might hold comparisons with Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid's youth strategy continues
Madrid have implemented a youth-focused transfer strategy since 2019 and this has seen already developed players often disregarded. It explains why the club are looking at signing the likes of AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, 19, and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, 21, to bolster the midfield this summer.
Several top stars have been linked, including PSG's Vitinha, 25, and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, 25. But the club feel they are too expensive and this further highlights why they think youth is the best policy.
Nana won't be expected to be bedded into the senior team but rather spend time with the Castilla team. There are several youngsters already catching the eye at youth level including Thiago Pitarch who is flourishing this season.