Logo

Logo

Players angling for a move away from Real Madrid this summer

Will this be the summer that Real lose some of their Galacticos?

Players angling for a move away from Real Madrid this summer

(L-R) Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Alvaro Morata (Photos: Facebook)

The hallmark of a great side is not the ability to win a one-off title, but to repeat the trick year after year. That elusive level of consistency at the highest level separates the men from the boys. 

It’s safe to say the current Real Madrid squad, the only team in history to defend their UEFA Champions League crown, will be regarded as one of the best to have graced the football pitch.

So, there shouldn't be any problem right? 

Advertisement

Well, if you have several hundred million dollars worth of talent warming the bench, it is impossible to keep everyone happy and manager Zinedine Zidane may well be resigned to the fact that some stars will leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

The Statesman has highlighted the players who are most likely to leave the capital club in the summer below.

Cristiano Ronaldo

As Ronaldo lifted his third Champions League title with Los Blancos in the beginning of June, he openly declared a desire to play at the Bernabeu till he is 40.

Yet, after a revelation by the Spanish tax authorities that the Portuguese superstar is set to face a hefty fine and a prison sentence (one which he will not serve, however), the 32-year-old’s relation with his club has seemingly soured. 

Ronaldo allegedly told his Portugal teammates at the ongoing Confederations Cup that he wants to leave the Real this summer and while the authenticity of the comments cannot be verified, Real have scrambled to assure fans that no offer has been received. 

At 32, he continues to transcend the game of modern football, successfully transforming from a flying winger to a free-scoring forward, and there will be no shortage of suitors, including former club Manchester United, should he push for a move. 

Or, are the alleged tantrums just to force Real to give him a new contract?
Los Blancos fans certainly think so and perhaps that is any Ronaldo to United rumour should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Transfer Possibility: Moderate
Interested Clubs: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus

James Rodriguez

This is one player who is seemingly hell-bent on leaving with Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United the front-runners for his signature. 

While Real have won a plethora of trophies since James’s transfer in 2014, it’s safe to state that the silverware hasn't been flowing because of the Colombian’s exploits.

Former manager Carlo Ancelotti and current incumbent Zinedine Zidane have criticised the 25-year-old’s party-heavy lifestyle as he has remained on the fringes of the first-team throughout his tenure at the Bernabeu. 

Still, his immense talent is undiminished and despite making little over 100 appearances in three seasons, the versatile Colombian is in-demand across Europe and a new start would give his flagging career the jolt it severely needs.  
Transfer Possibility: Extreme
Interested Clubs: Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan

Alvaro Morata

Another Real Madrid player not getting enough playing time, despite not doing much wrong, is Alvaro Morata. 

When Los Blancos exercised their buy-back option on the Spaniard in 2016, hopes were high that Morata would finally get top-billing in place of Karim Benzema.

Surprisingly, Zidane preferred his compatriot over Morata the whole season and considering they won the La Liga and Champions League both, the manager’s tactics cannot be questioned much. 

However, for the young Spaniard, the writing is on the wall. Stay at Real and be content with a bit part status or move to a ‘smaller’ club like Manchester United or Chelsea and become the No.1 striker, guaranteed of a starting spot every week.  

Despite starting just 14 games in the league, Morata banged in 15 goals and four assists adding in three goals in the Champions League to keep suitors interested and a mega-bucks transfer in July beckons. 

Competition in the Spanish squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is fierce and Morata knows he needs regular football to fit into Julen Lopetgui’s squad. 

Transfer Possibility: Extreme
Interested Clubs: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal

Gareth Bale

When Real Madrid broke the transfer record to acquire the services of Tottenham Hotspur’s flying winger in 2013, they paid for a talent they expected to rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the coming years. 

And despite playing a crucial role in their La Decima triumph in his debut season, the speedy Welshman has not quite lived up to expectations while Ronaldo has continued to defy them. 
At his best, capable of ripping up the best of defences, the 27-year-old Welshman’s tryst with injuries have hindered his progress far too often for the liking of the Los Blancos faithful.

Manchester United have not dropped their interest in Bale despite missing out in 2013 and continue to be linked with him. And while a move to the Premier League would certainly suit the Welsh winger, Real would understandably be reluctant to let their most expensive signing leave so soon. 

Transfer Possibility: Moderate
Interested Clubs: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain

Isco

Considered the next Andres Iniesta by many Spanish football fans during his time at Malaga, Isco made the move to the Bernabeu in 2013 but things haven't panned out as the 25-year-old would have hoped. 

With Gareth Bale the preferred option in attack, Isco struggled for game time under Ancelotti and Zidane both and things do not look to be changing any time soon. For if Madrid do let Bale go in the summer, they are likely to snap up Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe in his stead. 

Possessing wondrously quick-feet, with an uncanny reading of the game, it’s easy to see why Isco is regarded as one of finest players of the current Spanish generation. 

Isco knows he needs to move to a club where he will get regular playing time, especially with the 2018 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

Transfer Possibility: High
Interested Clubs: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus.

Advertisement