The full-back Jesús Fortea is only 17 years old and is a determined prospect from Real Madrid's youth academy, who was taken from Atlético. Fortea has decided not to continue at Real Madrid and Barça is behind.
Fortea is not just any footballer. His signing by Real Madrid led Atlético to break relations with the white club. He was destined to be Carvajal's successor, but he wants to leave because he sees his progress stalling at Real Madrid.
From Carvajal's successor to being relegated by Ancelotti... and Raúl
He has a contract with Real Madrid until 2026, but he hasn't yet turned 18. Raúl doesn't give him a chance in Castilla (only 6 games) and Ancelotti ignores him in the first team.
Fortea feels relegated by Raúl Asencio and doesn't believe Carlo Ancelotti would dare to manage his defense with two youth players. He already makes quite a concession to La Fábrica by counting on Asencio.
In March he will turn 18 and Real Madrid has offered him a new contract, as it does with all youth players, to secure his future. And Fortea has stalled Florentino. He has no intention of staying at Real Madrid.
For now, he has said he will not renew in March, when he turns 18. And that in June he will give an answer depending on how the season ends for him. This refusal hasn't pleased Real Madrid at all, which sees how its promise is exposed in the market under very favorable conditions.
Real Madrid sees Barça behind
At Real Madrid, they suspect that FC Barcelona is behind this unexpected reaction from the player, who for now has said no to the security his club proposes.
Fortea trained with the first team in October, but Ancelotti never called him up. And instead, Asencio appeared, who is already fully integrated into the first team dynamics.
But Fortea's problem is not just Asencio. Other teammates from Castilla, like Diego Aguado and Yáñez, have already debuted with the first team. And he has taken it as a personal offense.
Loren Aguado has also surpassed him, who plays in his same position and is Ancelotti's first alternative from the youth academy for the right-back position. And while Raúl doesn't give him playing time in Castilla, he alternates his matches between Juvenil A and Real Madrid C.
Barça has closely followed the events. The reports on Fortea in their technical secretariat are excellent. And he has become a clear target for Deco for next summer.
Fortea could be one of the big surprises in the market next summer.