Zinedine Zidane has already created a list of players who will not be at Real Madrid next season and there are clearly a few shocks on the cards.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has complete control over his squad as per a condition fulfilled from Florentino Perez before signing the contract a month ago. The 46-year-old is going to sign a large number of players in the summer but there will be significant departures as well, and Zizou has already created his blacklist.
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As for the goalkeeping unit, Keylor Navas will be back to being the starter. Thibaut Courtois will be the second-choice goalie and will vacate the position if a good offer comes his way. In case of the Belgium international’s departure, Andriy Lunin and Luca Zidane will be staying. But either one of them will be sold if Courtois stays.
In the defensive department, Raphael Varane’s departure is imminent despite Zinedine Zidane’s desire to keep him. The Whites have slapped an 80 million euros’ price tag onto him. Jesus Vallejo will be sold with a buyback clause whereas offers will be heard for Nacho Fernandez as well. Marcelo could also possibly head to Juventus.
There will be an exodus amongst the midfielders. Dani Ceballos will be sold and Federico Valverde is going to be loaned out. Marcos Llorente remains safe, but mainly due to Casemiro’s probable departure to Paris Saint-Germain. Toni Kroos may move to Manchester City whereas Luka Modric could be sold in case of a lucrative offer, though he mostly won’t.
Among the attackers, Gareth Bale’s departure is looking inevitable with every passing day and he will be sold to the highest bidding party. Brahim Diaz will follow the Wales international on loan. One of Isco and Marco Asensio may leave too, as could Mariano Diaz in order to make room for Rodrygo Goes. Lucas and Vinicius look set to stay at the club.
Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Keylor Navas seem to be the only regulars of the first team who are definitely in the good books of Zinedine Zidane. Otherwise, it does look like the Frenchman will be selling and purchasing a lot of players. However, he may end up keeping quite a few players especially in the defence and midfield.
Should Real Madrid be selling so many big players at once despite not closing in on replacements?