Real Madrid step up clear-out: De Tomás, Theo, Kovacic, James...
Having sold Marcos Llorente to Atlético Madrid late last month, Real Madrid expect to ship more bodies out of the Bernabéu this week.
Having spent around 300 million euros on summer signings, Real Madrid are now stepping up their efforts to ship unwanted players out of the Santiago Bernabéu, in a close-season clear-out which they hope will bring in more than 250 million.
After Llorente, De Tomás, Theo and Kovacic set to be next
After selling Marcos Llorente to Atlético Madrid last week for 30 million euros plus five more in add-ons, Madrid are now set to follow that deal with the sales of Raúl de Tomás, Theo Hernández and Mateo Kovacic.
An agreement is in place to offload striker De Tomás to Benfica for an initial 20 million, potentially rising to 25, with the transfer expected to be announced within the next two days. Meanwhile, Theo could even travel to Italy today to complete a switch to AC Milan, who are ready to pay 20 million euros for the left-back, and Madrid are in line to bank 45 million for Kovacic, as Chelsea prepare to make the Croatia midfielder's year-long loan stay at Stamford Bridge permanent.
In total, these four deals stand to net the 13-time European champions 115 million euros. It's a figure that will help to offset the financial impact of what has been the largest ever transfer-window spend in the club's history - and, if their process of summer sales continues as expected, one that will rise further.
James also in line to leave Real Madrid soon
Following Colombia's exit from the Copa América, James Rodríguez's departure from Los Blancos seems likely to be sorted out in the near future. All the indications are that the attacking midfielder will move to Serie A outfit Napoli, where personal terms have been agreed with the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, and where there is optimism that in the coming days a deal can be struck with Madrid, too.
Host of players whose possible exits may take a little longer...
However, there are also a number of Madrid players - Keylor Navas, Nacho Fernández, Isco, Lucas Vázquez, Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale - whose potential departures may not be resolved quite so imminently.
Keylor has no firm offers to leave, and could well end up remaining at the Bernabéu as understudy to Thibaut Courtois. Nacho's future at Madrid is far from guaranteed, and Sevilla have enquired about the defender. Isco is keen to stay, but is aware he won't go into the coming campaign as a starter. Lucas is in danger of having his route to the team blocked by the new arrivals, while Asensio has no shortage of suitors, but does have the continued backing of coach Zinedine Zidane - unlike Bale. However, the Welshman is digging his heels in and doesn't want to move on.