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Real Madrid and Barcelona are two of the most storied football clubs in the world and most footballers would grow up dreaming about playing for them. That's why when the La Liga giants come knocking, the call is hard to resist for most players.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have been viewed as dream destinations for football players. We have seen some of the best performing players in the world join either Real Madrid or Barcelona over the past couple of decades. But the sheen has come off a bit in recent times.
That perhaps has a lot to do with the terrible mismanagement at Barcelona over the past several years and the lazy recruitment policies adopted by Real Madrid. However, being two of the most popular clubs in the world, Real Madrid and Barcelona will continue to lure some of the biggest stars in the world.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at five players who are certain to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future.
5 players who are certain to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future
#5 Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Lautaro Martinez is one of the most promising young strikers in Europe at the moment. The Argentine international has struck up a wonderful partnership with Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan and the duo's contributions have been crucial to the Nerrazurri winning the Scudetto this season.
Lautaro Martinez has now admitted that he came really close to joining Barcelona last summer before the move broke down due to financial reasons. He said:
“I was truly very close to joining Barcelona and I even talked it over with Messi. However, the Blaugrana had economic problems at that moment, so I decided to stay at Inter. It proved to be the right decision, especially as we then won the Scudetto. It’s just incredible to win the title at such an important club.”
Although Lautaro Martinez looks well settled at Inter Milan at the moment, he could very well end up joining Barcelona or even Real Madrid in the future. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are looking for strikers and if their big-money moves don't work out, they'll surely swoop in for Martinez as his quality is proven and will be available for way less.
Real Madrid are now heavily linked with a move for Lautaro Martinez with Zinedine Zidane keen to find a replacement for Karim Benzema.
#4 Matthijs De Ligt (Juventus)
Ever since Matthijs De Ligt broke on to the scene at Ajax, a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona has been forecast. De Ligt was signed by Juventus in 2019 for €75 million but is currently third-choice after Leonardo Bonucci and Georgio Chiellini, though it's widely suggested that Juventus view the Dutchman as one of their future stars.
De Ligt not only proved to be a formidable presence at the back during his time at Ajax but also gave a good account of his incredible leadership qualities, captaining his side as they reached the Champions League semi-final in 2019, beating several European bigwigs like Real Madrid and Ajax on the way.
While De Ligt is likely to stay at Juventus for a considerable amount of time, if he can keep his levels up, he will certainly cop a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona as he is still just 21-years-old.
#3 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
It feels like Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been linked with Real Madrid forever now. His agent Mino Raiola continues to talk up a move to Real Madrid but the Frenchman looks to have settled down well in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's set-up at Manchester United.
Pogba has also publicly flirted with Real Madrid numerous times, even calling it a 'dream move'. In October 2020, he admitted that every footballer would like to play for Real Madrid and that it is his dream to represent Los Blancos.
"All football players would love to play for Real Madrid. It is a dream for me, why not one day?
Just a few days ago, his agent Mino Raiola once again refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid for his client. He told AS:
“I do not know. I think that nothing is impossible, but football depends on the day. As it is. And you have to be flexible to think of all the possibilities. And if tomorrow Madrid wants to make a Hazard-Pogba change? It is just an example."
#2 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Erling Haaland is the most sought-after out-and-out striker in the world right now. At 20 years of age, Haaland has shown astounding skills and is one of the most natural strikers the game has seen in a long time.
Haaland's representatives have already met with Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, Borussia Dortmund are keen to keep him beyond the end of the season. But it's interesting to note that while Haaland will cost around €150 million any side that wants to sign him, he will be available for much cheaper next season.
There is a €70 million release clause in Haaland's contract which will kick in next summer and it is advisable for both Barcelona and Real Madrid to make a move next summer as both sides have been struggling financially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
One thing is for certain and it is that there will be fierce competition between Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign the Norwegian striker.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
The crown prince of football, Kylian Mbappe, is likely to move from Paris Saint-Germain in the near future. Mbappe is only 22-years-old but has already accomplished so much and it just feels like it is time for him to move to a club that has a following all around the world.
Mbappe has been tearing it up for Paris Saint-Germain and he is tipped to join Real Madrid in the near future. According to Diario AS, Mbappe is now inching closer towards securing a move to Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe's current deal expires in 2022 and talks over a new deal have reached an impasse. It makes sense for Paris Saint-Germain to cash in on him this summer, as it is their last opportunity to recoup a good chunk of the €180 million they paid to sign him from AS Monaco.
