Manchester United target Real Madrid defender Joan Martinez | OneFootball

Manchester United are interested in signing Real Madrid academy defender Joan Martinez.

The 16 year old has enjoyed a rapid rise, playing in the UEFA Youth League for Real Madrid’s Under 17s. He even got the chance to play for the senior team in a recent pre-season match against AC Milan in Chicago.

The youngster is expected to play for Real Madrid’s Under 19 team this season and he has also played 11 times for Spain’s under 17 side.

The Red Devils have been keen to add young talent to their team as they have reportedly closed deals for the exciting Chido Obi-Martin who, despite being only 16, could reportedly play a role in the senior team at times next season.

In addition, United are close to agreeing a deal to bring in Crystal Palace’s highly rated 16 year old Samuel Lusale.

Continuing on the trend of United targeting young gems, Spanish paper AS report that “United and Chelsea have already made moves to take an interest in his (Martinez) situation.”

His progress has been described as “meteoric” as he was originally “signed to play in the Juvenil C, but in just a few months he became an almost indispensable bastion of the Juvenil A of the Division of Honor, a category two years above his age.”

As a result, numerous top teams around Europe are following the player and the Red Devils are one of the clubs where “his name appears in capital letters in their agendas”.

Madrid reportedly remain calm about the situation though as “they know that Joan is where he wants to be and they strive to take care of his development.”

Martinez grew up a Real Madrid fan who idolised Sergio Ramos so is unlikely to want to make a move, at least at this stage of his career.

The centre back has been described as “complete, dominant, and elegant” and “tactically astute and technically capable of playing in various tactical systems.”

Whilst a move for the player seems difficult to pursue at this time, it is certainly one to watch for the future and fans can be excited as United aim to bring in some of the most talented starlets across the globe to Carrington.

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