Not even Machiavelli could have done better. Unintentionally, Florentino Pérez has achieved a 2x1 in a sibylline coincidence that benefits Real Madrid.
Florentino Pérez has managed to strengthen his squad in one fell swoop, while also reducing the power of Barcelona, his great rival.
It All Started with Alphonso Davies
It all started with Ancelotti's interest in Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies. Real Madrid agreed to sign the player on 1 July 2025. And it'll be for free.
Following Florentino's move to sign Davies for free, Bayern has reacted. Their coach, Kompany, is clear: Alejandro Balde is not Davies, but he's one of those who comes closest to him.
In recent years, Balde has become one of the pillars of Barça and the Spanish national team being just 20 years old.
He would be the one chosen by Bayern to replace Davies next season, as explained by the Fichajes.net website.
A Great Play by Florentino Pérez
The move would be a great success for Florentino Pérez. His decision to sign Davies to strengthen his squad would mean losing one of Barça's most important players.
But Bayern won't have it easy. Balde renewed his contract with FC Barcelona in the summer of 2023 until 2028. His release clause is 1 billion euros.
It is clear that neither Bayern nor anyone else is going to pay 1 billion euros for Balde or anyone else. Barça can hold on to his contract if they want to keep the player.
But can Barça reject an offer of 80 or 100 million for one of its stars? Bayern reckons that it can't.
And even more so when Barça still owes him half of the Lewandowski transfer that was closed more than three years ago.
We'll also have to consider what the player thinks.
But it seems clear that Bayern has made up their minds about Barça. Apart from Lamine Yamal, the rest of the players in Hansi Flick's squad are for sale.