Three top-level full-backs are in the spotlight of the market. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are fighting over all three.
The Catalan club, which isn't in a position for economic boasts, might enter the market for them. Two are at zero cost, and the third has a release clause of 35 million euros.
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are waiting for developments. They're waiting for both Alphonso Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold to confirm in the coming hours that they won't continue at Bayern and Liverpool.
Flick Has an Important Role in the Game
In that case, with less than six months left on their contracts, the law will allow them to negotiate freely with whomever they want. That's where Real Madrid and Barça come in.
Florentino has a verbal agreement with both full-backs since last summer, but it needs to be finalized. Both Davies and Arnold are under strong pressure to renew their contracts and stay where they are.
FC Barcelona has also appeared, seemingly closer to Davies than to Alexander-Arnold, although they've negotiated with both. The fact that Davies already played under Flick seems to bring him closer to Barça. That's the card the German coach hopes to play in this game.
Waiting for what happens with both full-backs is Miguel Gutiérrez, the Real Madrid youth player transferred to Girona. The white club has the right of first refusal on him and could take him by paying half of his clause.
However, the future of Davies and Arnold must be defined first. If both sign for Real Madrid, Miguel Gutiérrez would no longer be of interest at Bernabéu. If finally one or neither arrives, Real Madrid would activate the 17.5 million of his clause.
Barça would only have an option for Gutiérrez if Real Madrid loses interest in him. That is, if Davies and Arnold arrive at Bernabéu.
35 Million is a Lot of Money for Barça for a Full-back
In any case, 35 million for a full-back is a lot of money for Barça. Especially if half goes to Real Madrid's coffers.
It would cost Real Madrid 17.5 million to recover him. Half of his clause because they retain 50% of his rights. But today Florentino trusts that Girona will sell him for his clause and earn 17.5 million in the operation.
Manchester United, Milan, and Juventus are waiting for developments. Florentino hopes to keep Davis and Arnold, while Laporta trusts that Davies will travel to Camp Nou while Arnold dresses in white.
The future of the three full-backs will be solved in the first fifteen days of January.