Real Madrid’s interest in Alphonso Davies and Miguel Gutierrez – and what it means for Ferland Mendy
New York TimesGirona’s decisive La Liga trip to Real Madrid on Saturday will be no ordinary game for Miguel Gutierrez. Gutierrez’s latest Bernabeu return, having made 10 first-team appearances before a summer 2022 move to Girona, comes at an interesting time in terms of Madrid’s 2024-25 transfer planning. It was decided Gutierrez had to leave in summer 2022, when he was 21, after he had completed a cycle with Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team who play in Spain’s third tier. Gutierrez has been one of Girona’s best performers this season As The Athletic has covered previously, this is a common pattern at Madrid — and is actually the most usual way for academy graduates to gain a regular spot in the first team. GO DEEPER Real Madrid’s academy, the Dani Carvajal route and dilemma facing youth players Gutierrez is the player with the most minutes in manager Michel’s Girona team this season, contributing one goal and five assists in 27 all-competitions appearances and really impressing with his versatility.