With the transfer ban now lifted, Real Madrid are expected to do some significant shopping this summer as they aim to replace their ageing players with long-term targets. Here are 3 players who are most likely to leave Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.
Karim Benzema
The French international has been Real Madrid’s first-choice striker for eight seasons now. The brilliant forward has played alongside the likes of Kaka, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and more in his long career with the La Liga champions. And while they have moved on, he has still held his place in the team.
But with the likes of Alvaro Morata and Luiz Vasquez getting more prominence and Real Madrid eyeing some really high-budget moves in the likes of Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund this summer, his time is seemingly up at Spain. Although his contract runs up till 2019, losing first team action will definitely not keep him at the club for long.
At 29, Benzema still has the magic left in his feet which would attract numerous European clubs to pay for his services. And with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea constantly linked with him over the past few years, he won’t be lacking ambitious options to choose from.
Isco
There is a huge chance of this talented midfielder leaving Real this summer. Despite starting the season in the starting eleven, the 24-year-old has lost his place with Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic striking a brilliant partnership in the attacking third.
The midfielder has scored five goals and assisted the same number of times in 18 appearances this season. His Champions League outings have been very limited, which shows the lack of faith Real manager Zinedine Zidane has in him when it comes to bigger occasions.
Isco’s passing and scoring talent would be unparalleled in most leagues across Europe and with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal keeping tabs on his development with Real Madrid, he won’t think twice before leaving the Whites if an offer comes his way.
Pepe
He was one of Real’s record signings as a defender back in 2007 when he arrived Santiago Bernabeu from FC Porto. Since then the Portuguese international has won two UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga with the Spanish giants.
But, now with Raphael Varane gaining prominence in the centre-half position and doing really well alongside skipper Sergio Ramos, his glorious career also seems to be nearing an end. He has managed only 10 appearances in La Liga this season and has turned 34 last month. His contract ends this summer and Real Madrid are unlikely to offer him an extension.
