Real Madrid is expecting a busy few weeks. The team is clear that new signings are needed, and Xabi Alonso has several requests on the table. There is only one problem: the club is overbooked and needs to offload some players in order to bring in new ones. The main candidates on the way out are Rodrygo Goes and Dani Ceballos, but it will not be easy to finalize their departures as the players do not want to leave for just any destination, and the team does not want to let them go on any terms. Grab the popcorn.
Necessary signings
Xabi Alonso believes that key pieces are missing from the squad and that more signings are necessary. The club is willing to make those signings as long as the money is not wasted. In other words, the club has already invested more than €180 million in this transfer window and is not willing to make a financial effort for a player who is not entirely convincing, which is complicating the market. Xabi Alonso’s main wishes are a midfielder and a center back.
In the latter case, the main target is Konaté, who could arrive for free next summer and with whom an agreement has been reached. There is a possibility that he could arrive this summer, but Real Madrid does not want to go above €25 million, while Liverpool wants to get at least €50 million for the defender. In the case of the midfielder, Florentino only has one name in mind, the coveted and impossible Rodri. Investing a large amount of money in a lower-level player is not part of the president’s plans.
What is clear is that with 25 signings in the first team, the Whites need to offload some players who are not in Xabi Alonso’s plans in order to sign the key pieces that are missing. The exit door is open at Real Madrid, although they are clear that they will not force anyone to leave. There are two clear candidates to leave: Rodrygo and Ceballos.
Rodrygo’s departure
Rodrygo is getting closer and closer to leaving Real Madrid, but his destination could change radically from what was initially planned. Arsenal has always been the preferred destination and they have been following the player for months, but the wait is getting long and other options have emerged in the market that have become the priority, leaving the Brazilian striker’s option on standby. Although Arsenal may fade as an option, Rodrygo still has alternatives to leave the Whites. The team that has shown the most interest in recent days is another Premier League team, Liverpool. In addition, Bayern also has the player on its agenda.
The door is open, although the final decision rests with the player. What Real Madrid is clear about is that even though Xabi Alonso does not count on him, they will not get rid of the player at any price. Florentino does not want to sell the player for less than 100 million euros. A price that very few can afford.
Ceballos’ departure
Ceballos is clear that, given what he saw at the Club World Cup, he will not have much of a role under Xabi Alonso, which is leading him to consider leaving the club. His preferred destination has always been his beloved Betis, but the green-and-white team is clear that now is not the time, as they are not in a position to pay the player’s transfer fee.
His market value is 10 million, but Real Madrid values Ceballos at 20 million. In recent hours, there has been talk of an offer from Juventus for around 12 million euros.