Real Madrid 'beat Barcelona to Mallorca starlet'

Real Madrid have reportedly beaten bitter rivals Barcelona to the signature of Mallorca teenager Rafael Obrador.

The 16-year-old officially joined Los Blancos earlier this month and will initially turn out for the club's Under-17s side with the view to progressing to the first team at some point in the future.

According to Marca, Barca were keen on a move for the left-back, but Zinedine Zidane's side held off the Catalan giants, in addition to a number of other clubs, to sign the Spain Under-16s international.

Obrador made his La Liga debut for Mallorca in July, turning out in the latter stages against Osasuna.

The defender only penned a professional contract with his former club last October, with the deal due to run until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Madrid have moved to secure his signature, though, with Barca missing out on a player who has been described by Marca as one of the best young talents in Spanish football.