Los Blancos Transfer Ban Propels Speculation About Imminent Recruits

After Barcelona were handed a transfer ban for the entirety of 2015 due to infractions over signing players below 18, recently their two biggest competitors in La Liga were given the same ban for the same reasons. Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were dealt transfer bans for the next two transfer windows, although they have a chance to sign players now in January, according to the Independent. Los Blancos transfer ban will be appealed by the club, however judging by the same attempts made by the Catalan side previously, they might not be successful.

Before Barcelona’s ban came into effect in 2015, they signed a total of eight players in the summer of 2014 to compensate for the penalty period. Real Madrid may be looking to do the same thing now as they won’t be allowed to do so in the summer and even next January. Here are some of the potential A-list players they might be looking at singing now.

Paul Pogba

(Image credit: GazzettaWorld)

Since making the switch from Old Trafford 2012, Pogba has been outstanding every season he’s played so far for Juventus. The Frenchman has collected three domestic medals so far, but it seems that it’s time for pastures new at a bigger European side, and Real Madrid might just be the ones to snap him up. Newly appointed manager of Los Blancos Zinedine Zidane has earmarked Pogba as the prime transfer target to join his squad. It would be tough to incorporate him into a side that already boasts some of the finest midfielders in the game, however we all know that Madrid never shies away from selling one of their stars to add a new Galactico. But before any deal is finalized, there are a few stumbling blocks to get over.

For instance, the 22-year-old midfielder is a marquee player – these sort of transfers are normally done in the summer, and we doubt Juventus would be willing to sell half way through the season. Secondly, Pogba is represented by infamous agent Mino Raiola – a man that has Ibrahimovic and Balotelli as his clients among many others. He is known to make excessive demands when his players are concerned, which may prove to be too big even for a side like Real Madrid. So the chances of this deal happening now are slim, but due to the Los Blancos transfer ban they might be prepared to go all in on this talent.

Eden Hazard

(Image credit: Life is MUFC)

Hazard won countless individual awards last season, including the Premier League Player of the Season 2014-15. However, things are drastically different now, with the Belgian going through a difficult spell, not having scored a single goal this season. He has previously stressed that he wants to win the Champions League, but for that to happen one has to first of all play in the competition. Chelsea’s prospects of qualifying for Europe’s biggest stage next year are limited, and this might propel Hazard to look elsewhere.

This is where Real Madrid come in; but once again, things won’t be so easy. His current market value stands at €70 million, while his wage demands would in excess of €250,000 per week. The problem is that the Spanish side would have to compete with the financial power of PSG – a club that have voiced their interest in the Belgian winger a number of times already. They would definitely be willing to meet any salary demands by the player and match any transfer fee set by Chelsea.

But the opportunity to play for one of the world’s most iconic clubs could prove too irresistible for Hazard not to try to push for a move away from Chelsea, and also resist the chance to make more with PSG. And with the Los Blancos transfer ban restricting them to sign any new players in the next two transfer windows, Hazard might want to make the switch sooner rather than later.  Additionally, the fact that Zidane has previously stressed his admiration for the 25-year-old might sway him towards Madrid.

Neymar

(Image credit: Eurosport)

Recently, one of the best left-backs of the sport Roberto Carlos expressed his desire to become involved with Real Madrid in some role, according to Managing Madrid. In efforts to get himself noticed by his former club, he made a bold statement – to bring Neymar to Madrid. “I can bring him to Real Madrid, he’s so young and talented that I am sure that he will have even better results in next year’s Ballon d’Or,” said Carlos, the three-time Champions League winner.

The former left-back believes he can convince Neymar to make the switch from fierce rivals Barcelona – what would be one of the most controversial transfers in the history of the sport, maybe even eclipsing that one of Luis Figo in 2000. The point you have to consider here is that Neymar didn’t sign a contract extension with the Catalan side, despite being indispensable to his team. And Roberto would possibly look at exploiting that aspect to get him to cross the divide. But the sheer size of making such a big deal come to fruition doesn’t leave them with much time now, and the Los Blancos transfer ban means that they won’t be able to get him in the next two transfer windows.

But in all seriousness, we don’t see that happening at all. Although the 23-year-old is half-way through his five-year contract, we’re pretty sure the Barcelona’s hierarchy are preparing a massive package that would tie him to the club for many years to come. His importance both on the field and off-it are too great to let go, even if a considerable offer came in from Madrid. Also don’t forget that Neymar was just recently involved in great controversy surrounding his transfer from Santos in 2013, so he might not be looking to add further problems on himself.