In recent times, the best players from the Premier League have gone on to play for Spain’s two biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona. The biggest transfers of recent times have involved moves from the Premier League to La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez are some of the amazing players who have made this move. A move to either of these clubs is usually irresistible and involves huge transfer fees.
However, only the very best get an opportunity to play for the biggest clubs in Spain. We take a look at 5 Premier League stars who might play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future.
#5 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Since his switch from Atletico Madrid in July 2011 for £38 million, ‘Kun’ Aguero has more than justified his fee. Although the Barcelona ship has sailed since the signing of Luis Suarez, there’s every reason to think that Real Madrid might still be interested in his services.
Whistleblowing website Football Leaks, which specialises in publishing secret documents from the football world, has revealed that when Argentine forward Sergio Aguero was transferred to Manchester City in 2011, Atletico Madrid did not include any clause preventing the striker's sale to Real Madrid, Spanish newspaper Marca reported last month.
Aguero has consistently been among the best strikers in the world and his recent resurgence has shown just how much of an impact he can have on every game.
Real Madrid have a way of getting the players they want the most and with Aguero currently at the peak of his career, a move to the Bernabeu might just happen in the future.
If Aguero does indeed move to Real Madrid, the contest between Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s front three will be a truly mouthwatering prospect.
#4 Phillipe Coutinho (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s Brazilian magician Phillipe Coutinho has long been linked with a move to Barcelona and it is easy to see why they are interested in securing his services. Coutinho’s dribbling skills, vision and passing have made him a firm fan favourite at Anfield.
The little Brazilian has been absolutely brilliant for Liverpool since 2014 and he has set up many goals and scored some stunning long-range goals. His form led to Ronaldinho calling on his old club to sign up Coutinho.
He opined, “After all those years at the club Xavi has left and Iniesta is now in his 30s – they will need to address that. That is why I think Barcelona and Coutinho would be the perfect fit.
“Playing with great players makes you better, I know that. Not only would he win trophies with Barcelona, but playing with Neymar, Messi, Suarez, Iniesta, is going to make him a better player.”
His countryman Neymar also spoke about Coutinho in a public event.
"I see many Brazilian players with quality today. But one that I like and I think could play here is Coutinho. He has the style of Barcelona."
Although Barcelona have long been credited with an interest in Coutinho, their great rivals Real Madrid are also supposed to be interested in the little magician.
Coutinho signed a long-term deal with Liverpool last season and the Catalan club would need to part with a lot of money if they want to convince the Premier League club to allow the Brazilian to follow the move made by Uruguayan striker Suarez and midfielder Javier Mascherano.
#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been in amazing form for Tottenham ever since he broke into the first team. He along with Jamie Vardy have been the two outstanding English strikers this season. The 22-year-old striker has already scored 24 goals in the Premier League this season, and he would prove to be an amazing signing for any club in the world.
The forward’s penchant for scoring vital and stunning goals has made him one of the hottest properties in the transfer market.
Madrid’s relationship with Tottenham is better than most with a decent understanding built with Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, over the signings of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale. The Spanish club have paid close attention to the Tottenham striker for more than a year.
Harry Kane is considered to be the ideal player to continue Real Madrid’s policy of signing the top emerging talents in the world. With the world at his feet, it will be of no major surprise if the talented Englishman ends up plying his trade in the Spanish capital.
Former Tottenham and Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham wants Harry Kane to think about where he should play in the future. Speaking to Daily Mail he said,
“Should he move right now? I don't know. Timing's a funny thing in football because you have to take the opportunity when it arises.If you don't, another striker might go to United or Real Madrid or whoever we're talking about and you won't get the chance again for another four or five years.”
#2 Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City)
The Algerian winger showcased some glimpses of his talent and dribbling skills last season, but, this season he has been simply mesmerising creating numerous chances and leaving the opposition defences flat-footed.
Leicester are on the verge of creating history and they have the 25-year-old Algerian to thank for. From being relegation contenders to Premier League title challengers, Mahrez has played a key role in Leicester's incredible rise.
His superb showing for Leicester City this season has not gone unnoticed with many reports linking the Algerian with a move to Barcelona. Claudio Ranieri's man is on a £35,000-a-week contract at Leicester with the club looking to offer him a double-your-wage contract extension soon but with Barcelona reportedly looking to sign him, things might get tricky for the Foxes.
Xavi, now playing in Qatar with Al Sadd, was of the opinion that Mahrez would fit in at any big European club.
“He is a very good player,” Xavi said, according to Al Araby Al Jadeed. “He suddenly came to my attention this season.
When asked if Mahrez could play for Barcelona in the future, Xavi said: “Yeah, why not? He could play for Barcelona in the future.
“He is talented, but that is not in my hands these days.”
Mahrez himself has said that he would love to play alongside Lionel Messi.
He said, "It’s not my goal or my dream but obviously everyone wants to play with Messi. One day, maybe. Why not?"
With the winger favourite to win PFA player of the year award this season, the Foxes will have a tough task holding on to their man in the summer.
#1 Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Eden Hazard has had a very poor season for Chelsea, but that has not stopped rumours linking him to Zidane’s Real Madrid. The Belgian winger was PFA player of the year last season and he was tipped to be a future Ballon d’Or winner by players, fans and coaches.
However, this season his form has faded away spectacularly with Hazard yet to score a goal in the Premier League. According to reports, all this has not deterred Real Madrid from trying to secure the services of the talented winger.
Hazard himself has spoken about his desire to play under Zidane.
When asked if he'd like to play under the Frenchman one day, he added: "Yes of course. When I was little, I watched him on television and the internet for hours. I talked Zidane and I ate Zidane. But, and I repeat it, I feel very good at Chelsea so it's not news."
Zidane has also stated that he rates Hazard as an excellent player, calling him his thrid favourite player in the world.
"After (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi, Hazard is my favourite player. It is spectacular to watch him play," Zidane said.
"If I see him playing for Real Madrid? I can only say I love the player.”
"I have no doubt he will soon recover his form."
