Real Madrid star’s exit confirmed as Jose Mourinho prepares major squad clear-out

A Real Madrid star’s exit has been confirmed, with several others expected to leave before Jose Mourinho’s imminent arrival.

With Real Madrid set to go a second successive season without silverware, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa’s time at the Santiago Bernabeu appears to be nearing its end.

In recent weeks, Benfica boss Mourinho has been heavily linked with a return to the club after previously managing Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, a period in which he guided the Spaniards to La Liga and Copa del Rey glory.

Talks between the club and Mourinho are said to be progressing, with the Portuguese manager set to meet club president Florentino Perez next week, according to The Athletic.

Sources close to Mourinho suggest he has already informed Benfica officials that he will leave for Real Madrid in the coming days, despite being contracted to the Portuguese club until 2027.

Benfica are targeting both Fulham boss Marco Silva and former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim as potential replacements at the Estadio da Luz.

With Mourinho’s arrival imminent, up to nine Los Blancos players could leave this summer, with several ageing stars, including David Alaba, expected to depart.

Dani Carvajal to leave Real Madrid

On Saturday, it was confirmed that club captain Dani Carvajal will leave upon the expiry of his contract this summer after spending 13 seasons with the club.

Carvajal, who has won 26 trophies, including six Champions League titles, four La Liga crowns and two Copa del Rey trophies, was previously linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, although this may be impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The right-back has struggled with major injuries in recent seasons, missing nine months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament and posterolateral corner in his right knee during a match against Villarreal in October 2024.

Further injuries have followed since his recovery, with Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of him in the pecking order at right-back, limiting Carvajal to just two full 90-minute appearances this season.

The right-back has also been left out of Luis de la Fuente’s Spain World Cup squad.

He is the first to leave ahead of what may be a mass clear-out. According to reports from Spanish outlet ABC, midfielder Dani Ceballos is seen as surplus to requirements and will likely leave.

Argentine starlet Franco Mastantuono, who arrived from River Plate in 2025, is likely to go out on loan, while Los Blancos are also keen to cash in on Eduardo Camavinga, Raul Asencio, Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia. Back-up goalkeeper Andriy Lunin could also leave.