Five Real Madrid stars who could be set for Premier League moves amid clear-out
Real Madrid are set to begin a summer overhaul of their squad and Premier League clubs will be at the front of the queue waiting to see who becomes available.
Carlo Ancelotti has had the chance to run the rule over his players during pre-season before deciding on their futures, with players such as Dani Ceballos returning from his loan spell at Arsenal.
The LaLiga giants are reportedly in a difficult financial situation which has seen them make huge losses during the coronavirus pandemic, as have their fierce rivals Barcelona.
They are set to receive a transfer windfall in selling Raphael Varane, who is joining Manchester United in a £42million deal, while widespread reports suggest Alphonse Areola is on the verge of sealing a season-long loan switch to West Ham.
But if Ancelotti and president Florentino Perez are to pull off ‘Operation Mbappe’, the transfer strategy set out in the Spanish press which would see Real swoop for PSG star Kylian Mbappe next summer, they will need to raise more funds.
That could see a whole host of players made surplus to requirements as Los Blancos trim their squad ahead of the new season and English clubs will be waiting to pounce on some cut-price deals.
Star Sport picks out five possible players who could find their way to a Premier League club this summer…
Would Eden Hazard rediscover his best form by moving back to Chelsea this summer? Let us know in the comments section below.
Eden Hazard
Another pre-season has arrived and it is the same accusations aimed towards Hazard.
Reports suggested Ancelotti was furious after the Belgian returned to training overweight and it will do nothing to improve the winger’s already punctured relationship with the Spanish press.
The 30-year-old came under-fire after being spotted laughing and joking with his former Chelsea colleagues seconds after Madrid had been knocked out of the Champions League by the Blues.
The £130m signing had failed to live up to expectations since joining Real in 2019 and has missed over half of their games through injury, making only 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals.
Speculation had even linked Hazard with an emotional move back to Stamford Bridge this summer, rumours that were quickly swatted away by Chelsea.
But his displays at Euro 2020 showed that his star quality remains and if he does become available this summer, he would still have his fair share of admirers from the Premier League and elsewhere.
Gareth Bale
Having turned 32 in July, time is running out for Bale to find a permanent move that would surely be his final big contract of his illustrious career.
Tottenham took the Welsh star on loan for the 2020-21 season and after a slow start, Bale delivered 16 goals in all competitions.
But his staggering £600,000-a-week wages have left him in the unfavourable situation of being left out in the cold at Real, while no club can afford to rescue him from his misery at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bale may feel some comfort in the change in management after falling out with Zinedine Zidane, having shared a positive relationship with Ancelotti during his first stint in charge at the club.
But the club’s finances may take priority in whether to keep or flog Bale this summer — and another loan deal may suit all parties should Spurs decide to offer the forward a second season.
Isco
Few players have experienced such a fall from grace in recent times than Isco. Only three years ago, the midfielder was regarded as a key component of the Spain and Real Madrid setup.
But the 29-year-old started only eight appearances in LaLiga last season having been discarded by Zidane in a similar style to Bale.
Having spent eight glorious years in Madrid after arriving from Malaga for £30m, Isco may feel his peak years will be better spent elsewhere.
The Spaniard has been linked with each of the Premier League’s Big Six, but it would be difficult to see him taking a regular spot at either Manchester club.
Spanish outlet Fichajes reported that Liverpool are monitoring his situation ahead of a cut-price move this summer, while AC Milan are thought to be keen on the diminutive playmaker.
Martin Odegaard
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Arsenal have made little secret of their desire to retain Odegaard for another season on loan.
The 22-year-old could be one of the next players to follow Varane and Areola on the private plane to England this summer after a productive loan spell at the Emirates Stadium last season.
Mikel Arteta has publicly stated his intention to keep the playmaker as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of next season, having already sent Ceballos back to the Spanish capital.
According to Cadena SER, Odegaard looked “disconnected” from his team-mates in their 2-1 friendly defeat to Rangers and that will not surprise many — he has made only 11 appearances for the club since joining in 2015.
Real may be keen on a sale this summer but another season in north London could help raise his asking price ahead of a permanent deal in 2022. If that means the Gunners get their man on a short-term basis, there are not likely to be too many complaints.
Luka Jovic
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe pursuit paves the way for Raphael Varane to Man Utd move
The Serbian has returned from his loan stint at Eintracht Frankfurt and with no permanent deal on the horizon, his future remains in doubt.
The 25-year-old has scored just two goals for the LaLiga giants since his £53m move from Eintracht in 2019, with off-the-field issues also tarnishing his time in the Spanish capital.
Jovic has already made it clear to new boss Carlo Ancelotti that he expects to get some game time this season or he will seek another loan move.
That could interest clubs such as West Ham and Tottenham, who are both searching for attacking reinforcements. However, the Hammers’ loan agreement for Areola means it would have to be a permanent deal.
After a difficult spell in Spain, perhaps a new start in the Premier League is what Jovic needs to get firing again.
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