The recent Real Madrid transfer plan has been successful. The La Liga team made the decision to increase their global scouting for a variety of factors, including financial ones.
The goal was to identify up-and-coming talents who could be groomed by the squad's seasoned players. The best man for the job was Juni Calafat, who was available through the club.
He joined Valdebebas in 2014 to serve as head of recruitment in South America. He was born in Spain but was reared in So Paulo. He is currently Madrid's Chief Scout and Director of International Football at the age of 50.
He is referred to as a "football madman" by those close to him. He has a team of worldwide scouts that help him write reports and ensure that no future talent escapes him in order to expand his network and
Keep him informed of every player's situation who might be of interest. He also employs an unlimited library of videos for his preliminary scouting.
South America is the target
South America, where he found treasures like Vincius Jnior, Rodrygo, and Fede Valverde, is where Calafat has the most influence. He had also kept an eye on center defender Eder Milito. He invited Martin Degaard and Eduardo Camavinga from closer to home. Additionally, he not only helps sign up talented players but also helped bring in Germany international Antonio Rüdiger.
He has strong control over that market because of his connections to Brazil, but his focus has recently shifted to an international audience. Calafat had a crucial role in finalizing the Aurélien Tchouaméni agreement. He traveled to Monaco to oversee the proceedings and to improve Madrid's negotiating position.
However, he hasn't gotten everything right. Both Paraguayan Sergio Dáz and Brazilian player Lucas Silva failed to live up to their initial expectations. Reinier, who is presently on loan at the Spanish team Girona, was also suggested by him. Although still relatively young, the Brazilian attacking midfielder hasn't played as well as anticipated in Europe. All of it is a risk involved in searching for the next big thing.
Some of the Calafat acquisitions are excelling off the field as well. They are also paying off in terms of money. Some had steep price tags when they first came, but as a result of their on-field success, their worth has skyrocketed.
Rodrygo was acquired from Santos, and Vincius came from Flamengo; each player cost €45 million. Given the cost and the players' ages at the time, some Madrid residents criticized the signings. According to Transfermarkt, Vincius, who joined in 2018, is now worth an estimated €120 million, nearly three times the original cost. With strong performances for Los Blancos, Rodrygo, who joined in 2019, has seen his valuation soar to €80 million.
Madrid welcomes Valverde
The signing of Fede Valverde, who was acquired from Uruguayan powerhouses Pearol, is an illustration of Calafat's work. When he was only worth €450,000 in 2016, Madrid paid €5m for him. Seven years later, he is a crucial midfield player and is valued at €100 million.
Rodolfo Catino, a former vice president of Pearol, is someone who is more familiar with Valverde than most because he was with him in the beginning of his career. He is aware of the curiosity that the Uruguayan midfielder aroused.
Catino thinks Madrid gambled on a young Valverde without going overboard.
"Madrid trusted Fede because Juni Calafat had witnessed something exceptional. They paid the €5m in addition to other factors, he claimed.
"It has been established that they made the right choice."
Milito, who cost €50 million, is now worth €70 million. Camavinga was acquired by Madrid from Ligue 1 team Rennes for €31m; his current market value is €60m. degaard cost just €2.8 million in 2015, but Madrid sold him to Arsenal for €35 million last year.
Many of the players Calafat and Madrid are interested in pursuing in the future are still based in South America. Endrick (16), who has already decided to join Madrid from Brazilian team Palmeiras, is one for the near future.
Calafat is one of Florentino Pérez and José Angel Sánchez's most influential individuals at the club, and his importance cannot be overstated. The talent scout has played a significant role in Madrid's recent success by helping the club sign quality players who were essential to winning the La Liga and Champions League double last season. He was the mastermind behind the team's success in the transfer market.
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ny of the players Calafat and Madrid are interested in pursuing in the future are still based in South America. Endrick (16), who has already decided to join Madrid from Brazilian team Palmeiras, is one for the near future.
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