
Real Madrid is reportedly targeting a young talent referred to as the “new Pedri,” a nod to FC Barcelona’s star midfielder. According to AS, the Spanish club sees this player as a promising addition to their squad.
Interestingly, Real Madrid famously passed on signing Pedri himself when he was relatively unknown, as he failed to impress during a trial with the club.
Reflecting on this experience, Pedri shared in a 2020 interview with El Larguero, “I tried out for Real Madrid, but they said I wasn’t at the right level.
I’m grateful to those who doubted me because now I’m playing for the team I’ve always loved.” A lifelong Barcelona supporter, Pedri found wearing Madrid’s jersey during his trial to be a strange experience, especially as his father was president of a local Barca fan club.
Barcelona signed Pedri from Las Palmas in 2019 for a modest $5.2 million (€5 million), a move now considered one of the most astute in recent transfer history.
This deal stood in stark contrast to the extravagant spending under then-president Josep Bartomeu, whose investments in players like Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, and Philippe Coutinho strained the club’s finances. These troubles were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which deprived the club of vital matchday revenue.
Fast forward nearly five years, and Barcelona appears to have regained stability both financially and on the pitch. Pedri, now thriving under Hansi Flick, has overcome injury setbacks and is performing at his peak, helping Barca maintain a six-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga.
Amid Pedri’s rise, it’s unsurprising that rivals like Real Madrid are scouting young talents with similar potential. One such prospect is Tenerife-born midfielder Aaron Martin.
AS reports that Martin is on Real Madrid’s radar as a potential future star. At just $2.1 million (€2 million), Martin could be an even more economical acquisition than Pedri.
Renowned for his game intelligence and precise right-footed passes, Martin has swiftly transitioned from youth teams to senior-level play, skipping extended time in reserve squads.
Real Madrid has been monitoring him closely, but competition is expected as Spanish clubs vie to present the most compelling development plan to secure his signature. Whether Madrid succeeds in landing this emerging talent remains to be seen.
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