A report in Spain claims Real Madrid will complete a swoop for long-term Barcelona target Juan Cuadrado, Fiorentina’s Colombia international.
Sport says Barca made Cuadrado a priority for the summer and a deal was very nearly done, only for Dani Alves’ decision to stay at Camp Nou and Fiorentina’s refusal to lower their asking price to see the talks break down.
Fiorentina wouldn’t accept anything less than €40m, Sport add, and while Barca are still interested – depending on the outcome of their transfer ban appeal – Madrid have stepped up their interest in recent days and weeks.
Madrid’s move for Cuadrado is said to have taken the Serie A club by surprise as Cuadrado’s form hasn’t been to its previous standards.
Fiorentina are leaning towards accepting less than €35m for the right-back, who can also play as a winger, and having spent €21m to sign him on a permanent basis, Fiorentina are looking to recoup their money and make a profit.
Madrid have Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa as right-backs but while the former is safe in the squad, Arbeloa is expected to leave as a free agent next summer.
Cuadrado’s signing would have the double impact of improving Madrid and stealing a player who is high on Barca’s wishlist, damaging La Blaugrana, Sport suggest.
Barca believe Cuadrado would still go to them but the legal situation means the move is in doubt.
Luis Enrique, who spoke to Cuadrado over the summer, will be without Alves next summer when the Brazilian’s contract expires and Martin Montoya could leave in January if a fair offer is made.
That would leave Barca with Douglas as the only natural right-back and a more experienced player would be needed.
If Barca get the go-ahead to conduct transfers in summer 2015 they will fight Madrid for Cuadrado but if not, Alves will be re-signed, on a more expensive contract.
