Barcelona and Real Madrid are going to have a busy transfer window this summer. Both the Spanish giants are on the hunt for world-class players to make their squad stronger and have set sights on many players.
With the clubs having the same motive, some players they are targeting are also a part of the transfer wish-list made up by their rival. We are bound to see an El Clasico in the market this season, just like we did last summer.
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Last summer, the clubs set sights on signing Andre Gomes from Valencia, and that was an entertaining battle. Real Madrid had reportedly agreed a €30M fee + add-ons for the midfielder only for Barcelona to swoop in at the last moment with a €35M + add-ons bid and sign the Portuguese international.
Something similar is bound to take place this summer as well as these five players are on the shopping list of both the clubs:
#5 - Marco Verratti
Barcelona and Real Madrid are in the market for a star midfielder, and Marco Verratti is the one that's caught both the club's eye. The Paris Saint-Germain star is a target for Chelsea as well, but with the Spanish giants in the race, the Premier League champions have no chance of signing him.
Los Blancos see him as the ideal replacement for Luka Modric, who's being linked with a move away from Bernabeu this summer. Blaugrana want him to be the successor to Andrés Iniesta. The Spaniard is set to leave the club after the end of the 2017/18 season according to reports.
PSG are reportedly ready to sell the Italian midfielder for €70 million. However, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid keen on signing him, the price will shoot up.
#4 - Leonardo Bonucci
Signing a defender is a top priority for Real Madrid while Barcelona are also keen on signing one in the summer. Leonardo Bonucci has been in top form for Juventus and is on the radar of both the clubs.
Pepe's contract at Bernabeu expires in the summer, and he's set to leave the club. This leaves Madrid with just Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, and so, Zidane is interested in signing the Italian defender.
Javier Mascherano and Jérémy Mathieu are set to be sold in the summer, and the Catalan side wants to sign an experienced centre-back in the summer. Bonucci impressed against the Blaugrana in the Champions League this season, and he's been on the radar ever since.
Juventus are not interested in selling the defender, but with bids of £60 million reportedly ready from both sides, the Italian champions might end up selling him. The Serie A side will try to get around £70 million for the defender who's rated as the best in the world right now.
#3 - Philippe Coutinho
Just like Marco Verratti, the Spanish giants are set to battle for Philippe Coutinho as well. Liverpool are not interested in selling their best player but just like in the case of Suarez; they will be forced to sell him in the end.
Coutinho has been a target for Barcelona for a long time now with Neymar and Ronaldinho courting him for a long time. Real Madrid have just entered the race but are confident of signing him as they believe the Anfield side will be ready to do a swap deal.
The Brazilian has been sending mixed signals to the Liverpool fans and also the Spanish giants. The player spoke about how he wanted to become a Liverpool legend recently but a couple of days later revealed that he was flattered by Barcelona's interest in him.
#2 - Antonie Griezmann
The Atletico Madrid star is one player who is on almost all the top European club's transfer wish-list. However, it's Real Madrid and Barcelona who are leading the chase.
Manchester United were the one linked with a move for the French striker, but the player's concern over the city's weather has halted the Red Devils' move for him. He has an £85 million release clause has that has actually put Atletico in a tight spot.
Both Madrid and Barcelona are ready to activate his release clause and sign him this summer. The Rojiblancos can't do anything to stop him from joining the rivals should he also decide to leave the club!
#1 - Paulo Dybala
The top target for both Real Madrid and Barcelona this summer is Paulo Dybala. The Argentine striker recently signed a new deal at Juventus, but the clubs are confident that they can lure him away in the summer.
Real Madrid want him to replace Karim Benzema in the starting XI next season. The board and Zidane have reportedly lost patience with the French striker and have decided to sell him when the transfer window opens.
Barcelona see Dybala as Messi's successor, and that means he won't be able to get into the team straight away. Messi, Neymar and Suarez have formed a formidable trio, and for anyone to break them, it would take a lot.
Juventus, just like in the case of Bonucci, are not willing to listen to offers. There are reports that Barcelona and Real Madrid are ready to break the world record for him, but the Serie A side knows how good he's going to be in the coming seasons and are not interested in selling him.
