REAL MADRID are preparing a shock transfer raid on rivals Barcelona for the first time in 23 years, reports suggest.
That is according to Marca, via El Futbolero, who report that Real are keeping tabs on Barca star Gavi ahead of the summer transfer window.
That means Los Blancos are planning to break an unwritten transfer rule agreed between the two LaLiga foes back in 2000.
The two European giants promised they wouldn’t try to sign each other’s players in what is now known as the Luis Figo Law.
The Merengues signed Figo from Barcelona 23 years ago in a deal that was met with intense rage from the Blaugrana faithful.
Real splashed a then record £50million for the Portugal great, who enjoyed tremendous success at the Nou Camp with 45 goals and 58 assists in 249 appearances throughout a five-year stint.
Read More on Football
The legendary winger then turned into persona non grata in Catalonia and was met with immense fury when visiting Barcelona with Real’s colours until 2005 when he left for Inter Milan.
Figo is the last person to make a direct switch from one rival to another in Spain.
Real now appear to consider Barcelona as “just another club” and are eyeing Gavi, whose deal runs out in 2026 and he has yet to pen an extension, but have yet to make an official move.
The Catalan giants have been forced to remove the midfielder from their registration of first-team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
Most read in Football
Consequently, the 18-year-old may now leave as a free agent in the summer.
This comes amid Barcelona’s bid to re-sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi.
Barca will therefore have to raise funds to meet Messi’s salary demands.
Gavi has also been targeted by Chelsea, who are looking for major reinforcement in the summer amid a disastrous Premier League campaign.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
In fact, the Blues have been in talks with the Spain international’s representatives over a potential deal.
And the West Londoners’ owner Todd Boehly is willing to make Gavi one of the Prem’s highest earners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
