Real Madrid could sell their stars on the cheap to balance the books
Zidane has 30 players in his first team squad and 8 returning loanees he needs to find a place for
Florentino Pérez promised he would overhaul the Real Madrid squad and he's been true to his word. Before the season officially comes to a close on the 30th June, he's signed three first-team players for €208m: Hazard, Jovic and Mendy. To those, you need to add previously announced signings Rodrygo, Brahim y Militao (€112m). A total investment of €320m which will force the club to sell in order to bring the numbers down to a more manageable 25-man squad.
Right now Zidane has 30 first team players and eight others who are returning on loan. The plan is to bring that down to 25 and, for that to happen, Real Madrid will need to sell some of their bigger names who are refusing to leave quietly. Bale, Mariano and Isco have all insisted they want to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu next season. In terms of wages, they need to remove high earners Bale, Keylor Navas and James Rodriguez as soon as possible.
31ST AUGUST IS THE CUT-OFF DATE
Despite being in a tough situation, time is Real Madrid's hand. There's 78 days until the 31st August and could even add more names to their squad such as Pogba, Eriksen or Ndombele. The only confirmed departure, for now, is Oscar Rodriguez as he extends his loan for another 12 months at Leganes. Achraf, too, will remain at Borussia Dortmund for another season. James, Kovacic, Raúl de Tomás, Theo, Odegaard, Mayoral and Lucas Silva all spent last year out on loan and none are expected to play under Zidane. Lunin is waiting for Navas to leave in order to become the backup to Courtois.
There is a lot of first team members who have been put up for sale: Keylor Navas, Vallejo, Nacho, Mariano, Bale, Lucas Vázquez, Llorente, Asensio, Isco, Reguilón, Ceballos and Luca Zidane all know they can leave for the right price. Five must leave in order to balance the books and that number could increase should they sign yet another 'Galactico' before the window shuts.
