The summer transfer window has come and gone, and Real Madrid's recruitment team will be preparing for January, when some important decisions should be made. Xabi Alonso has made a promising start to a new era in charge at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Alonso hasn't been afraid to show who's boss and that's come at the expense of a few players who will be concerned about their futures. Some will understandably be waiting their turn due to age and lack of experience but others may be fretting that the Spaniard simply doesn't rate them.
The return of the club's legendary former midfielder should result in a changing of the guard and it feels as though he's prepared to get tough. It means it could very well be the final few months of one or two players' spells in the Spanish capital.
There are three of the Madrid squad who could be in the shop window come the turn of the year for various reasons, including more first-team opportunities and an acceptance that they are no longer needed. One of them has failed to meet expectations and could do with getting back on track elsewhere with a short-term loan.
3 Real Madrid players who Xabi Alonso must allow to leave
Endrick
Endrick is a certainty to head for the Bernabéu exit door in January although ideally on loan. The Brazilian wonderkid was expected to be the next big thing when Madrid paid €70million for the 19-year-old in the summer of 2024.
Alonso just hasn't trusted him at all, unlike Carlo Ancelotti who handed him a super-sub role last season. He hasn't made a single appearance this term after recovering from a thigh problem, remaining on the bench.
A potential loan has been touted and Manchester United could be an option, per The Daily Mirror. The chance to get first-team football under his belt in a team that needs more goals could be a massive benefit.
Andriy Lunin
Andriy Lunin has long been an excellent backup to Thibuat Courtois but the Ukrainian goalkeeper hasn't been required this season with his Belgian teammate fit. He is unlikely to become the heir to Courtois and his future should be a talking point despite his contract expiring in 2030.
A January exit might be best for all parties involved as Los Blancos can focus on finding a long-term Courtois replacement. He made the decision to stay in the summer but Alonso clearly doesn't view him as a viable number one in the future and that should ultimately lead to a departure sooner rather than later.
Lunin has been with Madrid since 2018 and will get a massive send off if he does bid farewell in the near future. Will he be happy to continue with no minutes ahead of the World Cup next summer? Probably not.
David Alaba
David Alaba has unfortunately dealt with recurring injury problems and it could prove costly for the veteran Austrian defender. He is set to miss the Clásico clash with Barcelona on Sunday (October 26) due to a muscle problem.
The 33-year-old has rarely featured this season after just returning from a calf injury, which saw him sit out the Club World Cup in the summer. He missed most of last season due to an ACL injury, and it seems he just can't shake off fitness struggles at this stage of his career.
Alaba's contract expires next summer, and Alonso may well be prepared to inform him that he's better off departing in January. That could be a stance shared by the hierarchy given he purportedly earns €432,692 (per Capology).