5 World Class stars who can move to Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future

marco verrati psg

In recent times, the best players from the other leagues have gone on to play for Spain’s two biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona. The biggest transfers of recent times have involved moves to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

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 World Class stars who might play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the future.

Also read: 22 top players who can move in the January Transfer window

#5 Marco Verratti

Considered one of the best defensive midfielders in the world right now, PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has long been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Los Blancos see him as an ideal fit to Zidane’s system and a move for one of Italy’s best midfielders makes perfect sense.

Verratti himself admitted that Real Madrid had come calling in the summer. Speaking to reporters, he said:

I learned of Real Madrid interest and that was pleasing, because it doesn’t happen every day that Real Madrid ask after you, but when I’m happy at a side, I don’t want to change.”

“I want to win something with this shirt. It’s not that I technically turned Real Madrid down, it’s that when I am happy in a team, I don’t even want to begin negotiations with another club”.

While Verratti has time and again spoken of his loyalty to PSG, the French giants have struggled under Unai Emery this season and another offer in the upcoming transfer windows might just convince Verratti to move to the Bernabeu.

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#4 Dimitri Payet

dimitri payet

When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet from Marseille, everyone knew they had managed to pull off a coup by signing a player of his calibre, no disrespect to West Ham, but the talented Frenchman could have been playing in any of the top clubs across Europe.

9 goals and 12 assists last season in the Premier League saw him nominated for the PFA player of the year award last season and this season as well, he has continued his good form and is a firm fan favourite. The first truly world-class star to play for West Ham since the departures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Payet has turned in some amazing and eye-catching performances for the Hammers.

With West Ham struggling to put in good performances in the Premier League this season, Payet might well look to leave the club in January, with some reports claiming that Barcelona are ready to bid 40 million pounds for him.

His performances have drawn praise from all quarters and the Hammers’ manager showed just how impressed he was when he said:"I have to get poetry lessons to describe his importance to us," said Croatian Bilic.

"I haven't seen better players than that. He is also doing the dirty work and on the ball he is up there with Luka Modric from the players I have trained so far, Dimitri is one of the best I have trained and every week I want these questions about him to continue, but it is hard to be surprised."

With the Hammers languishing close to the relegation zone, Bilic will have a tough task keeping the Frenchman away from the Catalan giants.

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#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang

One of the most in-form strikers in the world at the moment, Pierre-Emerick Aubmaeyang is another player who has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid. With the player himself speaking of his interest in playing for Los Blancos, this move could definitely happen in the future.

In an earlier interview with German TV station ZDF, the Gabon international had said:

“Only Real Madrid would be able to get me out of Borussia Dortmund,

“My childhood dream was to play for Real Madrid. Before he (his grandfather) died two years ago I promised him that one day I would play for Real Madrid,”

With Karim Benzema not having the best of seasons, Zidane might be tempted to sign another star forward and Real Madrid were handed a boost when the player himself did not commit his future to Dortmund.

When asked about his plans for next season, the Dortmund star controversially said:

“I don’t know if I will stay. I just think about playing good football right now. I want to give my best and win titles. I just think about the sport and nothing else,”

Aubameyang’s contract situation might see the Gabon star move for a relatively lower price and Real Madrid will be looking to snap up the pacy forward. With Aubameyang in their team, Real Madrid might have ABC instead of BBC terrorising opposition defences.

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#2 Phillipe Coutinho

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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."

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.

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#1 Eden Hazard

eden hazard celebrating

Eden Hazard had a poor season last year, but this time he is back to playing at his best. The Belgian winger was PFA Player of the Year in 2015 and is widely tipped to be a future Ballon d’Or winner by players, fans and coaches.

Although there is no chance of Hazard leaving in January, Real Madrid seem confident of luring the player in the summer transfer window. What makes Florentino Perez confident of getting the Belgian is that 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 third 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.”

Perez might just be getting ready to spend some big money on the Belgian superstar.

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