Like any transfer window, this one is sure to be filled with tons of players who could be on the move, especially for a club as big as Real Madrid. Who could be in and who could be out for Los Blancos this summer?
Disclaimer: This article focuses on players who will be in or out via transfer fee, not loans or free transfers like Jesus Vallejo or Pepe.
Out: Alvaro Morata – Forward
Morata joined Real Madrid at the young age of 15 back in 2008. He was pushed out of the Bernabeu in 2015, and would wind up in Juventus for two seasons before coming back. The reason for the departure the first time was his lack of playing time, and despite getting more in his return, he still apparently feels underplayed.
Morata honestly doesn’t play much, but when he does he usually maximizes his minutes and scores when you need a goal the most.Morata put in a solid campaign this past season putting 15 balls in the net as a second fiddle striker. But he wants more, which is understandable.
Possible suitors for Morata are Chelsea, AC Milan and the most prominently seen Manchester United.
Despite playing second fiddle, Alvaro won’t go for a small price tag. At just 24 years old, he still has tons of youth and prime years ahead of him. Notching 15 goals in 26 appearances as a backup is also no easy feat. If sold, expect Real Madrid to accept nothing less then something north of $45M.
Likelihood to be sold: Likely
Out: James Rodriguez – Attacking Midfielder
James Rodriguez will likely be on his way out of Real Madrid this summer after joining them just three seasons ago. When Los Blancos acquired the Colombian star, it came at the hefty price of $90M. At the time it was justified. He was 22 years old, came off of a fantastic World Cup performance, and just had a great season with Monaco.
Unfortunately, he has consistently fallen out of favor by the managers at Real. That has nothing to do with either his talent or play, just the simple fact that Real has players better than him at his positions. Even if these players aren’t better footballers, they may fit the tactics of Real’s team better.
Rodriguez has been rumored to be on the move to a number of clubs, including both Milan’s, Chelsea, and United. It also could be very possible that Real will sell James and Morata to the same club.
As far as his price tag, James is expected to be sold for something north of $50M. He is still without a doubt one of the best attacking midfielders in the game and still only 25 years old. If he is sold, whatever teams land him will be getting a special player.
Likelihood to be sold: Very Likely.
Out: Cristiano Ronaldo – Forward
Oh boy, Ronaldo rumors are circulating once more. Is it really a summer transfer window without Ronaldo though? Ronaldo is rumored to be on his way out of Real Madrid after accusations surfaced of his apparent tax evasion.
Everything about this is still genuinely developing, and no one really seems credible on this lede currently.
Regardless, very few teams in the world can afford Cristiano, and those teams are probably FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. FC Barcelona is out of the equation for obvious reasons. I doubt Ronaldo would play under Pep Guardiola, so City is a no go and the other two still seem unlikely.
United seems like the only option for Ronaldo, and if sold, expect a world record fee of something around $200M, or possibly more.
Likelihood to be sold: Very Unlikely.
In: Kylian Mbappé – Forward
The biggest fish of them all this summer is Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé is a French superstar already at the young age of 18. After having a world class season already with Monaco, it appears that Kylian will be on the move. With numerous teams reportedly already having offered record fees north of $125M, it will be very hard for Monaco to pass up on his sale.
Kylian Mbappe has his heart set on the Bernabeu. pic.twitter.com/YWP7p5tDUJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 20, 2017
The next step for Monaco and Mbappé is to really figure where Kylian thinks he likes most, which at this point and time, is most likely Real with him growing up as a fan of Ronaldo and the club.
The Mbappé sweepstakes seem like it is just beginning, and quite frankly it wouldn’t surprise me if his fee runs up to almost $180M. If Real lands him, it will probably be because of the funds freed up from selling Rodriguez and Morata.
Real Madrid could possibly loan Mbappé back to Monaco. The reason for the possible loan spell back is simple, Los Blancos still have Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo at Mbappé’s two best positions.
It will be every interesting how this one will pan out.
Likelihood Of Coming In: Very Likely
In: Gianluigi Donnaruma – Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma is a player who has just recently started garnering serious Real rumors.
After a dispute with his current club, AC Milan, over his contract, it appears he will be on his way out at just 18 years old. Possible suitors for the promising goalkeeper include Real Madrid and PSG.
While it is true that Real already has Keylor Navas, who is by no means a slouch, clubs as big as Real always look to upgrade.
Whether Gigi would start right away, or it would be a 50/50 role is completely uncertain, but adding someone like Donnaruma who is only 18, and could possibly be in Madrid for 20 years (i.e. Gigi Buffon), is something you really can’t pass up on, especially since he isn’t going to get any cheaper.
Likelihood Of Coming In: Moderate
In: Theo Hernandez – Full-back
Hernandez is probably already a done deal, but he’s still worth a mention. Hernandez is a special talent at the full-back position, and even with a lot to learn, he will see immediate playing time.
Perez also confirms that Theo Hernandez, of city rivals Atletico, will join Real Madrid & become a "phenomenal left back" for the club.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) June 19, 2017
Theo is a player that can play on both sides, as well as being able to track up and down the pitch at an effective rate.
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Full-back depth was seen as a possible issue for Real Madrid this upcoming season, but now with Danilo most likely staying and Hernandez most likely coming in, they should be fine.
We also may see an Achraf appearance or two, if Zidane thinks it is worth calling the youngster up from Castilla.
As far as the fee for Hernandez, there have been some disputes as to the supposed price tag. Although Hernandez’ buy-out clause is £22m. But Real Madrid might end up paying more to get his signature. As The Express report, when it is all said and done, however, Theo will probably join Real for around £26.2million.
This is a solid deal for a promising 19-year-old full-back.
Interestingly, Theo Hernandez would be the first player since 2000 to switch from Atletico Madrid to Real Madrid. This would buck the trend of a supposed non-aggression pact between the two clubs.
Likelihood Of Coming In: Extremely High if not already done.
Summary:
Los Blancos will likely see a summer of 3-4 players in as well as 3-4 players out. That doesn’t include as the players returning from loans (Jesus Vallejo, Marcus Llorente).
So all in all, once again, the Real Madrid side should be strengthening as well as deepening.