Manuel Angel and David Jimenez set to become next Real Madrid academy departures

Manuel Angel and David Jimenez are expected to leave Real Madrid this summer, with both players continuing to train at La Fabrica while they wait for the right offers from clubs in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

The pair understand that their futures lie away from the Spanish giants and have been left out of Castilla’s friendly and competitive matches as a precaution, according to Spanish newspaper AS. The decision is intended to prevent an injury from disrupting what could be an important move in their careers.

Their departures would follow Jacobo Ortega and take Real Madrid’s income from academy player sales beyond €200m. The club has already generated a record €199m from players developed through its youth system, while a further €10m from Ortega’s transfer is expected to take the total above that mark.

Manuel Angel was close to leaving last summer after attracting serious interest from several clubs. Levante were particularly keen, while Aston Villa also explored the possibility of signing him, but the midfielder opted to remain at Real Madrid for one more season.

He was captain during the past campaign under Alvaro Arbeloa and later Lopez de Lerma before ending the season with increased involvement around the first team. Manuel Angel made seven appearances, totalling 129 minutes, and showed that he is capable of performing at a higher level.

The 22-year-old, who is 1.70 metres tall, joined Real Madrid’s academy in 2014. He is regarded as one of the leading talents from Arbeloa’s celebrated generation, which also included Nico Paz, Gonzalo, Palacios and Jacobo Ramon.

Arbeloa described Manuel Angel as “a player who completely changes the course of a match”.

Despite his height, Manuel Angel has established himself as an influential presence in midfield through his intelligence and his ability to use both feet with equal effectiveness. He can take free-kicks with either foot, prompting a light-hearted comment from people inside the club: “Even he himself does not know whether he is right-footed or left-footed!”

After 12 years at Valdebebas, the player is now waiting for the interest surrounding him to develop into formal offers and allow him to begin a new phase of his career.

Jimenez also ready for a move

David Jimenez, a member of the same highly regarded academy generation, is also approaching the exit. The right-back came close to providing 20 assists during that exceptional campaign and became one of Arbeloa’s most trusted players on the pitch.

Within Valdebebas, Jimenez is widely considered to have “the best right foot in the academy”. He is an attack-minded full-back who is particularly effective in the opposition half, takes primary responsibility for set pieces and displays the composure in possession more commonly associated with a midfielder.

“He drives forward with everything he has, possesses a leader’s character and Carvajal’s touch,” is how he is described inside the academy.

Jimenez has a strong personality similar to Arbeloa’s. The former Real Madrid player was his childhood role model and later became one of his most important supporters.

Born in 2004 and a Real Madrid academy player since 2013, Jimenez is also 1.70 metres tall. He played his final 153 minutes for the first team last season, including 91 minutes under Xabi Alonso, and made a positive impression on the coaching staff.

The defender is considered to have gained enough experience to start his career outside Real Madrid’s environment. He is now waiting for the opportunity that will set that process in motion, with those around him confident that it will arrive.

The academy sales completed so far include Nico Paz for €60m, Gonzalo for €40m, Victor Munoz for €20.5m, Gila for €15m, Alvaro Rodriguez for €12.5m, Alex Jimenez for €12.5m, Palacios for €10m, Jacobo Ortega for €10m, Fran Garcia for €4m, Mario Martin for €3m and Fran Gonzalez for €3m.

There is also significant interest in other young players, including Cestero, Yanez and Juan Martinez. Real Madrid is retaining percentages of the future sale rights of several players, meaning the club could benefit financially from further transfers.

Some within Valdebebas had predicted a “historic summer” for academy departures and sales. With Manuel Angel and David Jimenez now set to leave, that prediction is becoming reality.