Real Madrid Looking To Sell 15 Players This Summer In Drastic Overhaul

Real Madrid are reportedly looking to get rid of as many as 15 players this season in a bid to whittle down Zinedine Zidane's squad.

After a disastrous season last term, Los Blancos have already wasted no time in improving their squad - spending over €200 million (£178 million) on Eden Hazard, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Luka Jovic and Ferland Mendy.

But with five players already drafted in for big bucks, Alberto Pinero from Goal is reporting that Real are attempting to initiate "Operation Exit" - a monumental squad overhaul.

It's already got underway with Marcos Llorente's £26.7 million across the city to Atletico Madrid, but a whole host of first-teamers could well find themselves on the move.

Gareth Bale is not wanted by Zidane, who hasn't got the best of relations with the Welshman, but it's said that the former Spurs winger will try and make a departure as difficult as possible.

Image: PA

Raul de Tomas and James Rodriguez look set to be the next two to go with moves to Benfica and Napoli lined up respectively, while goalkeeping duo Keylor Navas and Luca Zidane are also reportedly close to leaving the Spanish capital.

The same can be said for midfielders Dani Ceballos, Mateo Kovacic, Martin Odegaard (loan), Isco and Borja Mayoral - the latter "close" to signing for Real Sociedad.

19-year old Brahim Diaz, signed from Manchester City in January, could well find himself heading out on loan as Madrid apparently do not want to "stifle his development".

As for Sergio Reguilon, Jesus Vallejo and Theo Hernandez, all three are not part of Zidane's plans and are expected to move on for pastures now.

Image: PA

The report says that Real have set themselves a deadline of July 9 - the first day of pre-season - to trim the squad of the dead wood in the ranks.

The 13-time European Champions want to get down to 23 players in the squad if possible but could still well bring in one more player, with Tottenham's Christian Eriksen and Paul Pogba their main targets.

Topics: Football News, Brahim Diaz, Isco, Football, James Rodriguez, gareth bale, Keylor Navas, Zinedine Zidane, Luca Zidane, Real Madrid

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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