Why Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are no longer recruiting French people

Manu Tournoux of French Football Weekly argues that Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have shifted away from recruiting French and Ligue 1 players in recent transfer windows. Despite past acquisitions like Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde, the author states that mixed results from prior signings, market competition, and transfer fee inflation have discouraged both Spanish clubs from heavily targeting the French talent pool.

Tournoux also highlights structural changes at both clubs, noting Barcelona's financial crisis and Madrid scout Juni Calafat's focus on South America. Furthermore, former key figures who favored French talent, such as Zinedine Zidane and Eric Abidal, have departed, leaving current leaders Deco and Hansi Flick with different recruitment priorities.