As far as sporting rivalries are concerned, there are not many that can compete with the ongoing never-ending battle between La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. From time to time, each side takes dominance over the other, but on the whole, they tend to run neck and neck when it comes to domestic and continental success.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: How Summer Transfer Bonanza Will Shape Epic Battle Between Arch Rivals
Last season was definitely the turn of Real Madrid. Led by wily veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti the Bernabeu side romped to a La Liga title and then overcame Liverpool to clinch a 14th European/Champions League triumph. Meanwhile, it was definitely a season of transition for Barcelona, albeit newly installed manager Xavi, a Nou Camp legend, has certainly steadied the Catalan side’s ship a great deal.
Betting on the pair is heated, and you need to make sure you get the best odds, just as you would if you were a baseball fan and were looking for the best MLB sites in NY where the market is incredibly heated, with supporters of the state’s big teams, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees, eager to back their fans with their loyal wallets.
The new season is on the horizon, and the summer captures that Xavi and Ancelotti make will be key to determining who will lead the way in 2022/23.
Barcelona
Financial issues plague Barcelona, and they could struggle to net the big names they need in order to make up ground with Real Madrid. Veteran full-back Dani Alves has left, and Ousmane Dembele has also ran out his contract, and that will at least reduce their wage burden.
Frenkie de Jong, the impressive Dutch midfielder, is strongly linked with a move to Man United, and there could be other exits, and Xavi will be keen to put his own stamp on the Barcelona team he will lead next season.
As for incoming talents, Leeds United winger Raphina has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona but does he represent a significant improvement on what Xavi already had in wide areas?
Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is said to be close to joining, and that will help shore things up at the back. The 23-year-old French international has impressed over the course of his three seasons in La Liga and would be a very wise acquisition.
Andreas Christensen is close to completing his free transfer move from Chelsea, and that’s another solid bit of business that will help Xavi’s cause, and one imagines the rest of the summer will involve similarly low-level but effective moves in the market.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid has more money to play with and has already displayed a real statement of intent by forking out over $100m to bring in AS Monaco defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Ancelotti will also welcome in German international Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea on a free deal, and these moves will provide more of a backbone to Real Madrid’s back-line and midfield.
There is also talk of a big move for England teenager Jude Bellingham, who’s been a phenomenal success at Borussia Dortmund, but that would involve Real having to spend upwards of $100m and may be a move that waits for another transfer window.
Real has helped to balance the books by saying farewell to Marcelo, Gareth Bale, and Isco, which helps keep their wage bill down and makes room for further additions before the season kicks off.