The fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has made El Clasico one of the most anticipated fixtures in world football. One of the major highlights from the past few years has been the battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Regarded as two of the best footballers of not only this generation but of all time, the duo has now become the main focus of attention in the epic clash between the Spanish giants.
However, with this season drawing to a close and the transfer market right around the corner, both European heavyweights have plenty of shopping to do. Los Blancos are ready to bring out the big bucks in order to make their Galacticos team even stronger for the coming season and the Blaugrana seem set to buy an elite class of players to keep up with their rivals.
Let us take a look at the five stars that could be a part of the next El Clasico.
#1 David De Gea
“David De Gea to Real Madrid” is a headline that has caught the eyes time and again over the past couple of seasons. Manchester United’s star goalkeeper has been heavily linked with a move to Spain since 2015 and it appears, the Spanish shot-stopper may finally end up at Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
De Gea had almost completed his switch to Madrid in the summer of 2015; however, a failure to submit the required paperwork on time resulted in the move breaking down. Now, the United number one is all set to complete his desired move to Spain in order to replace Madrid’s Keylor Navas in goal and is likely to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The Spanish goalkeeper is regarded as one of the best by many has been the important yet underrated player in the Manchester United ranks. De Gea, in fact lost out on the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for the first time in four years this season – highlighting the fact he has been the difference between a finish in the top seven and a lower mid table for United in the past few season.
#2 Dele Alli
Tottenham star Dele Alli may very well find himself in a Barcelona shirt for the next El Clasico as the England international been strongly linked with a move to Catalunya next season. Alli has been in talks with both Real Madrid and Barcelona but the 21-year-old’s desire to play alongside Lionel Messi has reportedly boosted Barca’s chances to sign the young sensation.
The midfielder has taken his game to a totally different level in the past couple of seasons and after having won the PFA Young Player of the Year twice in a row, Alli is already a favourite of the rumour mills across Europe.
With both Madrid and Barça wanting to avail Alli’s services for next season and keeping in mind the Englishman’s desire to play with Messi, the 21-year-old may very well end up at Camp Nou in the summer. However, if Los Blancos are ready to splash the cash on another Tottenham prodigy (which they are very well known for), it may not take long for Spurs to cash in on Alli like they did previously in the case of Gareth Bale.
But no matter where Alli lands, he is one of the stars that might just feature in the next El Clasico.
#3 Eden Hazard
A name that seems to be linked with Real Madrid since forever has to be Eden Hazard. The Chelsea star has been in transfer talks with Los Blancos and with Manchester United having tied James Rodriguez to move to Old Trafford next season as per a number of reports, the football pundits all around the world are banking on Hazard to wear the famous white jersey in order to replace the Colombian star.
Hazard has been a vital part of Conte’s line-up this season – helping Antonio Conte bag the title in his first season in charge of the Blues. The 26-year-old has made a name for himself amongst the elite players with his amazing skills, ball control and knack for scoring goals at crucial moments. The Belgian star remains the top candidate for filling Rodriguez’s shoes and club president Florentino Perez is also determined to get Hazard this summer.
If Hazard becomes a ‘Galactico’, Real would arguably have one of the most feared and attacking line-ups in world football with the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard. Nevertheless, Barcelona may just find themselves in a tight spot facing such a formidable line-up if they don’t get some top players themselves.
#4 Philippe Coutinho
Speaking of the formidable attacking trio that Los Blancos is set to build, it seems that Barcelona have a trick up their sleeve as well. And Philippe Coutinho’s association with the Blaugrana might just tip the odds back in the balance. The Liverpool maestro has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou all through the season and despite signing a new contract with the Reds in January this year, Coutinho is still being connected to the Spanish giants.
The Liverpool number 10 has been on Barcelona’s radar for quite some time now and is undeniably one of their top targets for the summer. The Spanish giants would want to acquire the playmaker’s services for next season especially because of the 24-year-old’s ability to play in multiple attacking roles. With Andres Iniesta close to retirement, Barca surely need to evaluate their options and having done so, Coutinho seems to be the perfect fit for the Catalan side.
The Clasico may just witness some of the Premier League’s oldest rivalry with ex-Manchester United man, Cristiano Ronaldo taking on Liverpool’s Coutinho in a ferocious encounter if the Brazilian ends up in Catalunya this summer.
#5 Kylian Mbappé
The 18-year-old wonder kid from France has caught the eye of every single European heavyweight with some blistering performances for Monaco in Ligue 1 as well as the Champions League this season. Regarded as one of the hottest targets in world football today, Kylian Mbappe is being heralded as a once-in-a-generation talent.
However, the striker wishes to play for Real Madrid one day and the club who are already in pursuit of the young Frenchman. Florentino Perez seemingly also believes that the French international has got it all to become a Galactico and if Madrid decides to spend a gigantic sum of €100 million for the young striker, the next El Clasico would be the one to watch out for.
If both the Spanish giants end up signing these players, beyond the shadow of a doubt next season’s El Clasico would have the biggest names in the world of football altogether on the same pitch. With the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Bale, Neymar, Suarez, Ramos and the five superstars mentioned in the list, El Clasico would be nothing less than a legendary showdown between two of the most feared clubs in the world.
