Camavinga is 'untouchable' says Ancelotti amid transfer exit rumours

Cameron Smith

• 21 Jan 2023 21:30 GMT
• 3 min read

Carlo Ancelotti has named Eduardo Camavinga as one of Real Madrid's "untouchables" following rumours of a January exit from the club.

Camavinga, 20, joined Los Blancos in 2021, but has been linked with a transfer away in recent weeks, with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal said to be keen on signing him on loan.

However, Real boss Ancelotti has squashed any talk of a departure for the young Frenchman in his latest press conference.

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"The squad is untouchable," Ancelotti said in a press conference. "It's not only [Modric and Kroos], it's the others who come onto the pitch and give everything, like [Dani] Ceballos and [Marco] Asensio did [at Villarreal]. Modric and Kroos are untouchable, but that doesn't mean they have to play every game.

"[Camavinga] is untouchable, like Modric or Kroos."

Following talks of a January exit, Camavinga's agent, Joshua Barnett, also told Fabrizio Romano: "There's no truth [in links to Arsenal and Chelsea]. Of course every club in the world would want him, but he's very happy in Real Madrid and Real Madrid are very happy with Camavinga."

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Camavinga at Real Madrid

The Stade Rennais academy graduate has featured 26 times in all competitions for Real Madrid this season, contributing one assist.

However, Aurelien Tchouameni, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric has been the preferred midfield trio for the majority of the campaign, with Federico Valverde playing on the right flank. As a result, Camavinga has started just five league games this term.

He also only started two of Real's six Champions League group stage games and didn't feature at all in their home tie against Celtic. Despite fairly limited game time, the Frenchman looks set to stay put this window.

Camavinga's contract at Real Madrid isn't set to expire until 2027 after signing a six-year deal upon arriving from Ligue 1.