Real Madrid set to sign teenage star linked with summer move to Barcelona: Reports
Real Madrid are allegedly set to rope in Real Betis teenager Jairo Morilla, who has also been linked with Barcelona, ahead of the next term.
Morilla, who is a centre-forward adept at operating on right flank, has recently risen in prominence due to his brilliant exploits for his boyhood club. He has represented the Andalusian club until the Juvenil B level.
The 15-year-old attacker has helped Spain's U-15 side win a number of age-group tournaments, making 11 appearances for them. He has also played in two games, starting one, for Spain's U-16 team so far.
According to The Athletic journalist Mario Cortegana, Real Madrid are set to snap up Morilla on a permanent switch this summer. Barcelona were in talks to seal the attacker's signature, but Real Betis have opted to sell their youngster to the Carlo Ancelotti-led outfit.
Should Morilla end up moving to Real Madrid this summer, he would continue his development at Los Merengues' highly rated academy.
Barcelona star Jules Kounde heaps praise on Real Madrid new arrival Kylian Mbappe
Last campaign, Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Barcelona at the UEFA Champions League quarter-final stage. They lost the first leg 3-2 at home before recording a 4-1 win in the second leg to advance ahead.
Speaking to Le Parisien, Barcelona defender Jules Kounde was asked to share his two cents on facing Real Madrid summer signing Kylian Mbappe in the continental clash last season. He replied (h/t SPORT):
"A player like Kylian Mbappe can't be stopped alone, it also requires collective effort. Since he was [predominantly] in my area [in both legs], I participated a lot in the success of the team.
Asserting that his France teammate is one of the best now, he added:
"That's why I play football, for the big games, to face the best. And in that sense, Kylian is the 'creme de la creme'. So, it's very satisfying. Playing against players like him encourages you to continue, to keep looking for more, and convinces you that if you work hard, sooner or later, you will get it."
Mbappe, who secured a Bosman move to Real Madrid earlier this month, failed to guide the Parisians to the Champions League final last term. His team lost 2-0 on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund, who lost 2-0 to Los Merengues in the final, in the last-four stage.
Both Mbappe and Kounde will be in action for France at the UEFA Euro 2024 next week. Les Bleus will open their campaign with a Group D match against Austria in Dusseldorf, Germany on Monday (June 17).