Manchester City are one of the clubs who have failed with an attempt to sign Spanish youngster Jesús Fortea.
That’s according to today’s edition of AS, who state the 16-year-old has snubbed the Premier League winners and Bayern Munich to join Real Madrid.
Los Blancos signed the right-back for their academy from Atlético Madrid in 2022, and are delighted to have him in their ranks.
Prior to joining Real Madrid, the Spain U17 international ‘had proposals’ from Manchester City and the Bundesliga winners.
Sources from the youngster’s entourage have told the newspaper that offers from Pep Guardiola’s side and the Bavarian club were better than the one proposed by Real Madrid.
The fullback picked Real Madrid and wouldn’t have left Los Rojiblancos if it wasn’t for their local rivals.
“The financial offers were superior, but Jesús was clear that he would only leave Atleti if it was for Madrid,” his entourage said.
The Spaniard, who will turn 17 years of age next month, initially started with Los Blancos’ U16 side.
He was promoted to their U19 side at the start of this season, and AS claim Fortea has become an ‘indisputable’ player under Álvaro Arbeloa’s orders. The defender will be in contention to face RB Leipzig in the UEFA Youth League later today.
Real Madrid will certainly be pleased that he ‘said no to Manchester City and Bayern Munich’.