Real Madrid’s problem: Nobody wants to leave

Whoever emerges as Real Madrid president after the upcoming elections, the club understands a shake-up is needed this summer. Two seasons without major silverware - and with subpar performances - have exposed cracks, especially down the stretch of the current campaign: players at odds with the manager and with one another, disciplinary issues, and a steady flow of leaks.

Something has to give, and Madrid knows it. At the same time, the club also recognizes that a deep overhaul will be extremely difficult. The simple reality: nobody wants to leave Real Madrid. It has always been that way, and it likely always will be. Madrid players are on strong, lucrative contracts, and the prestige of wearing the badge significantly elevates their global profile - and, by extension, their earning power. Not to mention, the club’s shirt is one of the most coveted in soccer history. Walking away from it is no easy decision.

Real hard to shift stars

Last summer offered a textbook example: Dani Ceballos. The Utrera native wants more playing time and understands that, barring a major injury crisis, a starting role at Madrid isn’t in the cards. That’s why, in the summer of 2025, he entered talks with Olympique Marseille, who had already reached an agreement with Madrid to facilitate the move.

At the eleventh hour, however, Ceballos backed out. He opted to stay put despite knowing game time would be scarce - which has proven true: just 826 minutes played in 2025/26. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that salary played a key role; while Marseille’s offer was respectable, it didn’t match his guaranteed earnings at Madrid, where he still has one year left on his deal.

Ceballos’ departure now feels inevitable. In fact, he had been frozen out by Álvaro Arbeloa, though in the final matchday he was recalled and even given a brief runout - something of a farewell gesture. Madrid plans to smooth his exit, but two hurdles remain: finding the right destination (his ideal move is back to Real Betis) and aligning on financial terms. The club is optimistic a deal can be struck this summer, but given past experience, nothing is taken for granted.

Another player on the transfer list is Eduardo Camavinga. His season has fallen short, and his development at Madrid has plateaued, showing little real progression. Patience among the fanbase has worn thin, with the Frenchman drawing criticism on multiple occasions this year. Internally, there’s a sense that his market value remains strong enough to command a respectable fee. Still, those around Camavinga have consistently maintained that he has no intention of leaving and won’t make an exit easy.

And so it goes with a long list of names. Andriy Lunin already turned down a move in 2023, even with a replacement lined up. Fran García is expected to seek an exit given the congestion at left back. Despite limited starts, Brahim Díaz has shown no interest in moving elsewhere. Franco Mastantuono struggled to make an impact in his first season and could be headed for a loan - if he’s willing. Gonzalo is also likely to move on, though Madrid intends to keep tabs on him, possibly retaining a sell-on percentage or inserting a buy-back clause.

Madrid’s big-money sales dry up

The challenge, then, is not just persuading players to leave - but actually selling them. In recent years, Real Madrid hasn’t operated as a selling club. The last major outgoing deal dates back to the summer of 2022, when Casemiro was sold to Manchester United for €70 million. Before that, there were a handful of notable moves: Raphaël Varane to United and Martin Ødegaard to Arsenal, both for €40 million, and Achraf Hakimi to Inter Milan for €43 million.

But that’s a far cry from earlier seasons, when Madrid became one of the market’s most effective sellers, generating significant revenue to refresh the squad - and doing so successfully, as evidenced by the two Champions League titles won between 2022 and 2024. High-profile departures during that period included Cristiano Ronaldo (€100 million), Mateo Kovačić (€45m), Marcos Llorente (€40m), Álvaro Morata (€80m), Danilo (€30m), Jesé Rodríguez (€25m), Ángel Di María (€75m), Mesut Özil (€45m), and Gonzalo Higuaín (€38m).

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.