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With 10 points in four games, Real Madrid currently occupy the top spot in La Liga. The men in white have also scored the most goals in the league so far, with a total of 13 strikes. In sharp contrast, their closest adversaries Barcelona have a minimal goal difference of three. Even with their dire status, though, Blaugrana have a squad that most elite clubs would love to raid.
Players who have switched loyalties from Barcelona to Real Madrid
As many as 20 players, having former ties to Barcelona, have secured moves to Real Madrid over the course of their history. While footballers like the Brazilian Ronaldo crossed the divide with one club in between, certain players had the guts to accept direct transfer bids from Real Madrid.
German all-rounder Bernd Schuster and Danish international Michael Laudrup are some of the notable examples of this phenomenon.
While Barcelona and Real Madrid have been rivals since the dawn of time, seldom have transfers between the two sides garnered as much attention as it did in 2000. Blaugrana talisman Luis Figo controversially chose to swap Camp Nou for the Bernabeu, drawing a lot of backlash.
The signing was so contentious that an actual pig's head was thrown at the Portuguese when Barcelona hosted Real Madrid in their first El Clasico post the transfer.
Despite the hostility between the two sides, multiple players have chosen to trade places in order to follow their dreams. Given the possible nature of such an event, let's take a look at five current Barcelona players who could fit perfectly into the Real Madrid squad:
#5 Sergino Dest
Having loaned out Alvaro Odriozola for the second time, Real Madrid only have Lucas Vazquez to cover for an injury-prone Dani Carvajal. While the makeshift right-back has proven to be a passable backup option, the club of Real Madrid's stature do not give contracts to mediocre footballers.
With two top-flight seasons under his belt, Sergino Dest has acquired enough experience to play for an elite-level club at the highest level. Following Nelson Semedo's departure, Dest has proven to be a massive improvement on the Portuguese. In just one year with Barcelona, the American international has established himself as one of the most promising youngsters in the world.
With the bizarre disposal of Emerson Royal and the deterring consistency of Sergi Roberto, Barcelona only have Dest as their designated right-back. Coincidentally, Real Madrid are in a very similar pickle. However, considering the counterattacking approach that Los Merengues apply, acquiring Dest from Barcelona would kill two birds with one stone for Real Madrid.
#4 Oscar Mingueza
With Real Madrid hosting minimal defensive players at the moment, they would need any quality addition they can get at the back. After losing Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the same summer, Los Blancos could only sign David Alaba as a replacement.
Due to their paper-thin depth at the back, Real Madrid possess the risk of derailing their season if any one of their defenders were to get injured. On top of that, they have absolutely no cover on the right-back position, as mentioned earlier. Such a scenario makes the acquisition of someone like Barcelona's Oscar Mingueza ideal.
Having taken his footballing education from La Masia, Mingueza quickly proved his worth to a weakened Barcelona side in his debut campaign. The sturdy centre-back, who can also play on the right, played a whopping 39 games as last season. With such versatility at the age of 22, Mingueza could be an ideal inclusion in the current Real Madrid squad.
Also read: 4 players who should never play for Barcelona again
#3 Ansu Fati
Barcelona's golden boy Ansu Fati has the potential to succeed at any given destination, including Real Madrid. Following Lionel Messi's controversial departure, Fati was handed the elusive number 10 jersey of the Argentine. While the stakes will definitely be much higher this season, the Spanish wonderkind could be the next spark that Barcelona so desperately need.
Still aged 18, the teenage prodigy has scored 17 goals across all competitions from the left flank. The multi-skilled playmaker is equally adept at playing on either side. With so much to offer, Real Madrid can benefit a lot from his signing.
Since Gareth Bale is injured and multiple wingers have struggled for form, only Vinicius Junior has started the season on fire. Throw in the ever-injured Eden Hazard and inexperienced Rodrygo in the mix, and you get a middling group of Real Madrid wingers. Barcelona are lucky to have Fati on their books as his immense potential can fire any team towards glory.
#2 Pedri
Another gem in the making, Pedri, like Ansu Fati, has been a revelation at Barcelona. Bought for a nominal fee of €20m, the Spaniard is now worth four times that amount. In the absence of a proper frontier midfielder, Barcelona were fortunate enough to stumble upon a generational talent like Pedri.
Having recently signed Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes, Real Madrid can boast a promising midfield of their own. Yet they lack a commanding attacking midfielder who can drive the ball into the opposition halves without any fear. While Luka Modric has been their chief creator for almost a decade, the Croatian is now 36 and is entering the twilight of his career.
Meanwhile, Pedri has already proved that he can sustain the load of being a starter in a top side, playing a mind-boggling 52 games for Barcelona last season. Carlo Ancelotti would love to incorporate a classic attacking midfielder into his squad and can work wonders with Pedri, if he were to join Real Madrid.
#1 Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay is the kind of player who can gel into any given system. The Dutch forward has the ability to produce output, regardless of the position he is deployed in. Pre-dominantly a centre-forward, Depay can also play on the left flank. Having recently joined Barcelona, the 28-year-old attacker already has three goal involvements in three games.
In sharp contrast, Real Madrid squad players Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic have failed to settle down in the Spanish capital after so much time. The duo have a combined tally of 13 goals in the past three seasons.
Due to his fluid nature, Depay could be the perfect signing for Real Madrid who desperately need a dependable forward. Aside from the ever-reliant Karim Benzema, most of the forwards at Real Madrid are either injury-prone or perform in patches. Therefore, Depay could be a welcomed addition at the Bernabeu.
Also read: 4 players who should never play for Real Madrid again
