Real Madrid have joined rivals Barcelona in the race for the signing of Fiorentina Right-winger/defender Juan Cuadrado.
After failing to join the Blaugrana this past summer, Cuadrado has sparked the interest of their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
According to Barcelona-based newspaper Sport, Barcelona are awaiting word on if CAS will reduce their transfer ban, but as it stands right now, they have created a wishlist with their top three transfer priorities for next summer; Atlético Madrid’s Koke, Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender and Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado, who was close to making a move to the Camp Nou last summer but the deal never materialised as the star didn't want to play at right back.
Real Madrid, in light of Barcelona’s current inability to even consider making a bid, have contacted Cuadrado’s representatives and the club over a possible move, but the Colombian international has responded that he prefers to wait to see the fate of Barcelona and allow other clubs to position themselves.
FC Barcelona and Cuadrado had already agreed to a five-year contract last summer and everything looked set to go ahead, but the Blaugrana were unable to sell Dani Alves and Fiorentina were unwilling to lower their €40 million price tag, causing the deal to fall through in the final stages of negotiation.
With Dani Alves out of contract next summer and not living up to expectation, Barcelona see the 26-year-old Cuadrado as his heir apparent and are prepared to sell Martin Montoya to help fund the deal, with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City also interested in the Right wing player.
Fiorentina bought out the player’s full rights last summer and are now said to be wanting to recoup their investment, with interest, and will not sell him for less than €21 million.
In the end, it all comes down to TAS’s decision; if they do reduce or lift the ban, Barcelona will fight it out with Real Madrid for Cuadrado next summer and if their ban is upheld, they will have no choice than to offer Alves a one-year contract and use Montoya or Douglas as makeshifts.
