Some of football’s biggest stars could be heading to Spain in the upcoming summer, which may see the lineups in El Clásico taken up a notch.
Next season’s edition of the greatest rivalry in world football is already billing up to be a fiery affair with Kylian Mbappé destined to sign for Real Madrid while Robert Lewandowski has been heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona.
Mbappé, 23, has entered the final three months of his contract at Paris St-Germain and he has by no means kept secret his desire to play for Real Madrid. Los Blancos are in pole position to sign the French superstar on a free transfer, with a five-year deal at the Santiago Bernabéu awaiting Mbappé’s signature.
Real Madrid reportedly have a verbal agreement in place with Kylian Mbappe!⚪️
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 11, 2022
🗓5 year deal
🤯€100 million signing bonus
💰€50 million annual salary
[Via – @DiMarzio]
Silly numbers!😳 pic.twitter.com/IqgHwAtTTJ
Other prospective deals have gone slightly under the radar with Mbappé in line to be Real’s marquee summer signing. Erling Haaland is also reported to be looking for a new club ahead of next season but rumours of a switch to Madrid have gone cold.
Chelsea’s Antonio Rüdiger is uncertain about his future amid the imminent expiry of his current deal at Stamford Bridge. Should the German defender opt to leave the Blues, Madrid may well be his next destination. AS Monaco midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni could also be on the move to Madrid as Real search for long-term replacements for the ageing Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos.
As for Barcelona, Lewandowski has emerged as a viable option with the Bayern Munich striker out of contract in June, 2023 meaning Barça could acquire him for a cut-price fee. A two-time winner of The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, Lewandowski is open to a move away from Germany and he would seek a three-year deal with La Blaugrana.
Barça continue to be financially crippled by insurmountable debt which has seen the Catalan club mainly resort to free transfers and salary deductions. Dani Alves and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both signed on a free in January, and the pair of Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen have each agreed a pre-contract at the Camp Nou as they approach the end of their respective deals at AC Milan and Chelsea.
Edinson Cavani, 35, is another player whose current contract seizes on June 30. The veteran attacker has so far enjoyed spells in Italy, France and England, and ‘El Matador’ may want to explore Spain before he hangs up his boots.
As Real Madrid go from strength to strength and Xavi continues his rebuild at Barça, both teams could be braced for an explosive summer transfer spree.
