Real Madrid have endured a dismal start to their league season as they now lie in sixth position in La Liga, six points below leaders Sevilla.
Los Blancos have remained dormant in the last couple of transfer windows and even refused to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the greatest player in the club’s history, in the summer.
The European champions must act quick if they are to challenge for any titles this season. These are some of the players Los Blanos must let go, keep and buy in the winter transfer window or in the summer at the very least.
SELL
GARETH BALE
Signed in 2013 after Real failed to convince Neymar to join them, Bale was touted to be a direct competitor to the Brazilian and the heir to Ronaldo’s throne.
It’s been five years and the Welshman has either failed to reach his peak or peaked too early during his days with Tottenham.
Either way, it’s clear that Madrid have failed to reap rewards on their €100million investment, a world record at that time.
Just three goals and two assists in 11 league appearances is unacceptable for a top player in a top team and Madrid’s president Florentino Perez must consider letting the winger go when he can still hope to fetch a respectable amount for a player who will turn 30 next July.
Gareth Bale is struggling for form.
LUKA MODRIC
Bale’s team-mate at Tottenham, Luka Modric, has probably had the best year of his career, winning a third consecutive Champions League title and playing a key role in Croatia’s fairytale run to the World Cup final.
The 33-year-old was named Best Player by FIFA at the tournament and is a contender for the coveted Balon d’Or award. Surely selling him would be the last thing on Perez’s mind? Wrong.
The Croatian was close to a move to Inter Milan over the summer before the Italian club pulled out. However, it’s quite clear that Madrid don’t mind losing their superstar and understandably so, given his advancing years.
The midfielder has been awful this season and, at the age of 33, it would be extremely optimistic to expect him to improve. Madrid need to find a buyer before Modric’s stocks go down.
Luka Modric is still a class act but is now 33.
KEEP
MARCELO
Arguably one of their best players amidst adversity, Marcelo has been linked to Juventus in a swap deal that would bring Alex Sandro to Madrid.
It’s highly unlikely that the Brazilian will force a move out but Los Blancos must do everything they can to prevent it.
At 30, Marcelo is still one of the best left-backs, at least in an attacking sense, in the world and has a minimum of three good years in him that Madrid must look to utilise in the best way possible. He’s also a hugely influential figure in the dressing room.
In a season where the front line has been under-performing massively, the Brazilian remains one of their best attacking options.
Marcelo is a popular figure at the Bernabeu.
ISCO
Isco is yet to start a game in the Santiago Solari era and the probability of things taking a U-turn are highly unlikely for the Spaniard.
The forward likes to play in attacking midfield and Solari prefers a 4-3-3 formation with Marco Asensio on the left wing.
However, the 26-year-old is a player who can bring a lot of quality to the team if orchestrated around him and Solari must consider this as a Plan B, given its high possibility of transforming into Plan A.
Isco has not been popular under Solari so far, but that needs to change.
BUY
EDEN HAZARD
One of the best players in the Premier League, Hazard might just be the ultimate solution to all of Real’s woes.
The Belgian has enjoyed a brilliant season under Maurizio Sarri so far but he has not made any secret of his desire to move on, with Real expected to sign him in the summer, especially after a fine World Cup, but no move materialised.
However, the winger did mention in an interview recently that he would consider a move away from London if he does not extend his contract any time soon – and many in the know at Chelsea appear resigned to losing him next summer, when he will enter the final year of his deal.
Los Blancos must jump on the slightest hint which points to the fact that Hazard wants to join them and do anything to obtain the signature of one of Europe’s deadliest weapons.
Eden Hazard has long been linked with a move to Los Blancos.
HARRY KANE
Karim Benzema is way past his prime – despite his resurgence in the early part of the season – and Madrid lack a quality number nine who can make a difference in clutch fixtures.
Winner of the golden boot at the World Cup, Harry Kane is probably the best option in the market. The Englishman can replace Benzema or play alongside the Frenchman in a 4-4-2 formation.
Kane has sworn loyalty to Tottenham but considering that the forward has a higher chance to succeed in the Spanish capital, Madrid will believe they can coax the 25-year-old – who is nearing his prime – to join them.
Target man: Harry Kane.
Securing Hazard and Kane in one window might not seem financially sustainable but Los Blancos do have the winnings from their last Champions League campaign untouched and €100m from the deal that saw Ronaldo move to Turin still weighing heavily in their pocket. A gamble, that almost certainly promises returns, Madrid must take the leap of faith.
