'Overbooking' at Real Madrid is complicating moves in the transfer market
The failure to move on Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez is making it tough for Zidane at Real Madrid
The poor results for Real Madrid throughout preseason isn't the only headache Zinedine Zidane is facing at the moment. The first - and only - triumph of the summer against an extremely poor Fenerbahce side hasn't removed the doom and gloom hanging over the club. Zidane has a total of 29 players at his disposal with many of those looking to move on, as well as the coach wanting to bring in at least one more new face.
Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez, two high profile players that Zidane has made it clear he doesn't want, both remain at the club. Florentino Perez, who is in control of the transfer business, has been unable to find a willing buyer for either player. With the days until the transfer window closes running out, there's a very real possibility both will remain at Madrid until at least January.
LUNIN, SILVA AND MARIANO'S FUTURES REMAIN UNKNOWN
There are question marks over the third goalkeeper at Madrid, Andrii Lunin; unwanted midfielder Lucas Silva and Mariano, the previous backup striker who hasn't done enough to convince Zidane. The last name on that list is expected to end up back in France where he's still valued highly after his impressive campaign with Lyon. Zidane needs to bring the squad number down to 25.
Madrid have spent more than 300 million euros this summer on Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Éder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo. However they've brought in less than half of that from the sales of Mateo Kovacic, Marcos Llorente, Theo Hernández and Raúl de Tomás (€115m in total). Dani Ceballos, Sergio Reguilón, Borja Mayoral and Jesús Vallejo have all left on loan.
TOO MANY NON-EU OPTIONS
The overcrowding in the squad means that Zidane also has far too many non-EU member sin his squad. The first team is only allowed to name three non-EU players for the upcoming season. Right now those are occupied by Fede Valverdem Vinicius Jr and Militao. This means Rodrygo, who cost over €40m, will need to be registered with Castilla this summer. It's the same scenario facing Takefuso Kubo, one of the rare bright moments in preseason, who is likely to begin the season with the youth team.
