Even though they might not always get an opportunity to make a splash at the first-team level, Real Madrid have some exciting young footballers coming through their academy ranks.
One such player happens to be 17-year-old right-back Melvin Ukpeigbe, a player who has been at La Fabrica for over seven years now, having arrived from the Rayo Vallecano academy.
Melvin to continue at Real Madrid
Melvin spent the last season away on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, where he was part of their Under-17 setup and impressed.
As such, the Bundesliga champions have shown an interest in re-signing the teenage right-back from Real Madrid this summer.
But, according to journalist Rodra P, Real Madrid have no intentions of letting the teenage defender go and as such he will stay put at the club in the upcoming season.
Melvin played 18 games for Leverkusen’s Under-17 setup last season, even chipping in with a goal and a couple of assists.
The German champions had the option of signing him permanently for a fee of €4 million but opted not to exercise it as they felt he was not tested enough to make such an investment.
But the idea was always to re-sign Melvin as they do believe that he has the potential to make it to the first-team setup.
However, the reigning Spanish and European champions have decided not to let go of the 17-year-old and want him to be a part of the Real Madrid C setup – the second reserve team for the upcoming season.
Melvin, who is behind Jesus Fortea in terms of the pecking order at right-back in the youth squad, is said to be impressing in training at Valdebebas with the C team.
And as such, a return to Leverkusen will not materialise this summer for the Spanish-Nigerian talent, with the Merengues having high hopes for him.