2 months ago
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Rodrygo to PL?
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Real Madrid are embarking on a new era with Xabi Alonso replacing legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti this summer. It was unquestionably the right time for the Italian to depart for Brazil and his legacy at the Santiago Bernabeu is unquestionable as their most decorated manager in history. Alonso arrived with the reputation as one of the best young managers in the world after ending Bayern Munich’s dominance of German football by winning the Bundesliga in 2024, with Leverkusen going unbeaten domestically.
The Spaniard took charge ahead of the Club World Cup but endured a disappointing tournament as they crashed out in a painful 4-0 defeat to PSG in the semi-final. Patience will be required as Alonso implements his ideas and he’s adapted the formation to his preferred 3-5-2. Madrid wasted no time this summer to strengthen their squad with the additions of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold before the Club World Cup, with Alvaro Carreras joining from Benfica earlier this week in a €50m deal. Addressing the defensive deficiencies in Madrid’s squad was clearly the priority this summer but they will need to offload some players before completing new signings. Therefore, we’ve analysed five first-team players that Madrid could sell to help raise funds for Alonso to improve his squad.
Five players that Real Madrid could sell this summer
Of players that could realistically leave Madrid this summer, Rodrygo will fetch the biggest fee. The Brazilian international is currently valued on Transfermarkt at €90m but it’s understood that Madrid would accept a bid for slightly lower than his valuation. Rodrygo played an influential role as Madrid won the Champions League in 2022 and 2024 but his future in the Spanish capital looks bleak. It’s no secret that Madrid will accept bids for the 24-year-old this summer and he was an unused substitute when Alonso’s men lost to PSG, which highlighted his current place in the pecking order. Arsenal and Liverpool have both been strongly linked with moves for Rodrygo and his six years spell at Madrid is expected to end this summer.
Ahead of the World Cup, Brahim Diaz expressed his desire to remain at Madrid, stating: “I have always had the ambition to succeed here, it has been my objective from the beginning”. But Diaz was used sparingly during the tournament, failing to start a single game and he only played 25 minutes across Real’s knockout games. Diaz was used regularly last season under Ancelotti, making 52 appearances but his prospects of featuring regularly next season appear diminished as he doesn’t fit Alonso’s system. Madrid could recoup a sizable fee if they find a buyer for Diaz as he’s valued at €40m on Transfemarkt.
Ferland Mendy started Madrid’s Champions League wins in 2022 and 2024 but he faces an uncertain future. Alonso has just acquired Carreras and the Spanish full-back will start at left-wing back next season. Mendy is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and missed out on the Club World Cup, with Fran Garcia enjoying an impressive tournament. Madrid won’t carry three left-backs in their squad next season and it’s understood that they’d prefer to sell Mendy with Garcia a younger option. There’s been speculation that Saudi Pro League clubs could move for Mendy but the French international is reportedly keen to stay in Madrid.
Dani Ceballos is destined to depart Madrid this season and he recently expressed his openness over a potential return to his boyhood club Real Betis. Ceballos said: "I hope the door is always open. I haven't spoken to them yet. Well, we're open to everything."The midfielder played just 70 minutes in total at the Club World Cup and he’d be restricted to the bench, if he remained at Madrid next season. Ceballos moved to Madrid from Betis for €16.5m in 2017 and the Spanish giants could hope to recoup close to his €10m valuation this summer.
Andriy Lunin is an incredibly reliable back-up goalkeeper and he’s stepped up when Thibaut Courtois has been injured, especially during the 2023/24 season. The 26-year-old has interest from Villareal as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of their Champions League return next season. Madrid would need to replace Lunin and the Ukrainian international remains content at the club but there’s been constant speculation over the last few years that he could leave in search of regular first-team football.
