Why are Real Madrid and Barcelona signing so many Premier League players?
Real Madrid and Barcelona are increasingly signing players from Premier League clubs, while an unwritten rule against doing business with each other or Atlético Madrid is reinforcing the trend.
An unofficial transfer truce operates among LaLiga’s three biggest clubs, running counter to the way the market operates elsewhere in Europe.
The debate surrounding Julián Alvarez is a perfect example. The mere idea of Real Madrid or Barcelona trying to sign an Atlético Madrid player has been treated as almost unthinkable. Yet in other major leagues, star players move between rival clubs far more frequently.
In Spain, however, there remains a reluctance to strengthen a direct rival. Many would rather see a player like Julián Alvarez sold abroad than join either Real Madrid or Barcelona, even for a massive transfer fee. The result is that LaLiga loses elite talent instead of keeping it within the league, while its biggest clubs increasingly look overseas for reinforcements.
Spain’s big three’s mutual transfer truce
A look at the recent transfer windows illustrates the trend.
This summer alone, Real Madrid has targeted players from Manchester City (Bernardo Silva), Liverpool (Ibrahima Konaté), Chelsea (Marc Cucurella) and Inter Milan (Denzel Dumfries). Barcelona, meanwhile, has pursued Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi.
The pattern has been building for several years. Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marcus Rashford, Raphinha, Jude Bellingham, Dani Olmo and even Julián Alvarez all fit, in different ways, into a broader trend in which Spain’s biggest clubs increasingly recruit from abroad rather than from domestic rivals.
More signings from oversees for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atleti
For every Joan García or Fran García signed from within Spain, there are several marquee arrivals from overseas. At the same time, more players from the rest of LaLiga are making the move to England.
The self-imposed transfer embargo between Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid may help preserve pride and avoid strengthening a direct competitor, but it also creates challenges.
Instead of shopping closer to home, the clubs are forced to search increasingly expensive foreign markets, particularly the Premier League, for top talent.
What works in LaLiga’s favor is that the Premier League is not the only attraction. Spain’s lifestyle, climate and culture remain a powerful draw, and many players ultimately choose quality of life over playing in what is widely considered the world’s strongest league.
That helps explain why players continue to leave England for Spain—and why there are signs of a growing crack in the Premier League’s dominance. It is the same dynamic that could one day bring Rodri back to Spain and, perhaps in the future, even tempt Erling Haaland to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.