One of the biggest stories of the Champions League was Real Madrid’s’ capitulation to Ajax. De Godenzonen produced a remarkable comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu to send incumbent champions Los Blancos out of the competition and pile on the misery in what has been a pitiful season.
With Zinedine Zidane’s reappointment, Real have had three managers in the space of nine months, find themselves out of the premier European competition, the Copa del Rey and 12 points (as of the 16th March) off the top of the La Liga table.
Changes are afoot in Madrid, with a blockbuster summer on the horizon. Real have already sanctioned the move for Eder Militao from Porto for an eye-popping €50 million, and it seems more sensational transfers are on the way.
The Sportsman takes a look at some of the big names who be finding their way out of the club to make room for the next intake of ‘Galacticos’.
Gareth Bale
With Zinedine Zidane back at the helm, it seems the Welshman’s time in the Spanish capital is numbered. Bale was outspoken in his comments post-Champions League final in Kiev.
“Angry. Quite angry, to be honest,” Bale informed the public after his fourth Champions League triumph, when the winger was left on the bench instead of facing Liverpool from the off.
“Obviously, I felt I deserved to start the game. I’d been scoring goals. So yeah, I suppose it was hard to put the anger aside.”
Unguarded words from the forward obviously aimed at his then-manager Zizou. Combined with his poor reception with the fans, could a route back to the Premier League, maybe to former side Tottenham Hotspur or the long-mooted move to heavyweights Manchester United be on the cards?
Isco
One of the most talented players in the Spanish top tier, Isco has struggled to find his footing in Madrid. Has made just 16 appearances, and only five starts, this season, with one goal and one assist to his name. Surely a few clubs in England, would be better suited to his undeniable talents, and at 26-years-old would be getting a prime asset.
Sergio Ramos
A Liverpool favourite. The Spaniard’s discontent at the Bernabeu has been well documented of late and the World Cup winner apparently has a turmultous relationship with president Florentino Perez regarding his contract extension, amidst the controversy of his deliberate suspension in Europe. Could the 32-year-old captain, who has made over 600 appearances for Los Blancos, attempt, or even consider, a last bow in the England.
Marcelo
A spat with Ramos has been rumoured, and the Brazilian’s displacement to Sergio Ragulion speaks volumes. Would be ideal to bolster a thin Liverpool quad, and provide the experience and backup to Andrew Robertson. Any move to England would probably be hijacked by Juventus however.
