James: Real Madrid prepare to sell; Bale among those to follow
LaLiga giants Real Madrid are preparing to offload a raft of players as they seek to raise cash for their planned summer spending spree.
As they seek to rebuild their squad under returning coach Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid are planning a summer spend of around 540 million euros, with Éder Militao already signed up and Paul Pogba, Tanguy Ndombélé, Luka Jovic, Christian Eriksen and Eden Hazard all targeted.
And with revenue from player sales set to make up some of the transfer kitty Madrid will need, a host of individuals have been earmarked for the Bernabéu exit...
James, Bale head up list of players in frame for exit
Bayern Munich have until 15 June to decide whether or not to activate their 42m-euro purchase option on James Rodríguez, who is currently on loan in Germany, and if the Bavarians do opt to make his stay permanent, the midfielder will provide Madrid's first summer cash injection.
Should Bayern decide against keeping him, Madrid will find another buyer - Zidane's re-appointment has ended any possibility of the 27-year-old returning to the club next season - and would be hopeful of banking more than 42m euros for a player who is valued by the specialist website Transfermarkt.com at 65m.
Player (value in euros*)
Keylor Navas: (12m)
Marcos Llorente (15m)
Toni Kroos (80m)
Mateo Kovacic (35m)
Dani Ceballos (20m)
Isco (60m)
James Rodríguez (65m)
Gareth Bale (70m)
Mariano Díaz (20m)
*According to Transfermarkt.com.
The departure of Gareth Bale also has the potential to be a significant source of transfer funds at Madrid, but there is one major problem: Los Blancos are struggling to find any clubs interested in buying the Welshman, whose annual pay packet of 15m euros net is putting possible suitors off a move, particularly in view of the 29-year-old's poor performances this season.
Kroos, Kovacic, Llorente in line to be sold
Meanwhile, one man who'll be surplus to requirements if Pogba arrives is Toni Kroos. The German, 29, has been a key figure at Madrid in recent years, but the midfielder's inconsistent form this term has caused disenchantment among club chiefs. With Transfermarkt.com putting Kroos' worth at 80m euros, he would be likely to be Madrid's most expensive sale.
Mateo Kovacic and Marcos Llorente are two further midfielders who Madrid are looking to offload, while Dani Ceballos would only be allowed to leave permanently were a buy-back option to be included in the deal. Given that he is still just 22, the club are expected to try to get Ceballos more first-team experience by sending him out on loan.