Arsenal and Leeds United have seen efforts to sign highly-rated Real Madrid youngster César Gelabert rejected by both the club and the player.
That’s according to AG Deportes, who say that neither party are keen on seeing the 19-year-old move away from Spain.
Gelabert is one of the most highly-rated young prospects in Madrid’s youth ranks, but with a first-team squad full of talent, chances are at a premium under Zinedine Zidane.
That has sparked rumours that he could make a move away from the Bernabeu, with reports in April that both Arsenal and Manchester United were trying to secure his signature.
Leeds have now been added into the mix but, like their Premier League counterparts, have been met with frustration in their attempts.
AG Deportes report that Gelabert was presented with ‘many opportunities’ this summer, with Leeds and Arsenal contacting Real Madrid to ‘probe the situation’ of the youngster.
They were part of a long list of suitors, including the likes of Atalanta, Real Sociedad, Valencia and Levante.
However, all of them received a swift no from the player who ‘declined’ the interest in him. It’s explained that both he and the club have been ‘quite clear’ to any interested parties that he will not be traded this summer.
That has caused them to continue ‘hand in hand’ as most of the offers included a partial purchase of the youngster, which neither party was interested in.
Thus, he is set to stay in Madrid and compete in the youth squad, convinced that he can work his way into Zidane’s plans sooner rather than later.
