REAL MADRID boss Zinedine Zidane is planning yet another overhaul in the coming transfer market by selling as many as ELEVEN first-team players.
Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Luka Modric could all leave, according to reports in Spain.
Benchwarmers Mariano, Bale and James are all said to be available for movesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having splashed around £300million last summer on new recruits, Los Blancos are potentially heading for a second consecutive season without winning the LaLiga, Champions League or even Copa del Rey trophies.
Barcelona-based newspaper Sport ran a front page of 11 players on Wednesday facing a spot on president Florentino Perez’s “black list”.
He and coach Zidane are said to have identified those they could do without, making room for new acquisitions when the season ends and any of their 14 players currently out on loan.
Inter Milan target Modric, 34, has long been rumoured to be nearing an exit and is approaching the final year of his contract.
Federico Valverde’s rise to prominence and the anticipated return of Martin Odegaard from his spell at Real Sociedad, initially set for 2021, is pushing Modric out with DC United also rumoured to be keen.
Bale’s next destination is more up in the air but a fresh opportunity awarded by Zidane at the start of the season, following a failed sale to China, has not reaped much reward and the Welshman could soon leave for good.
Likewise, James Rodriguez’s return to the fold has been met with just a single goal amid injury trouble and the door is reportedly open for him to leave.
Perhaps most surprising is that Real are thought to be ready to cut ties with Luka Jovic and Eder Militao after just one year in the Spanish capital.
The summer signings, both aged 22, have failed to live up to expectations and each holds a notorious record for their failings.
Signed for £53m, Serb striker Jovic has only two goals to his name while £43.5m defender Militao has started four of Real’s six defeats this year – despite spending the vast majority of his time on the bench.
Alvaro Odriozola was another promising youngster bought in less than two years ago but his struggles led to being moved on loan to Bayern Munich, where he has so far underwhelmed.
Ahead of Achraf Hakimi’s return from a superb stint at German rivals Borussia Dortmund, the Spaniard is also set to find himself surplus to requirements.
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One successful addition has been Ferland Mendy, the Frenchman’s form at left-back reportedly putting Marcelo’s long career in Madrid on notice.
And Zidane super-sub favourite Lucas Vazquez may be moved on too as Los Blancos look to cash-in before his contract expires in 2021.
Making up the 11 are forwards Mariano Diaz and Brahim Diaz plus Alphonse Areola, the goalkeeper seen as likely to be sent back to Paris Saint-Germain once his loan ends – despite the best efforts of agent Mino Raiola to secure a permanent stay.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
