The mouth-watering XI that can be made from up-for-sale Barcelona and Real Madrid stars this summer
ANY combined XI for Real Madrid and Barcelona is mouth-watering, even if it consists of players up for sale this summer. Both of Spain’s footballing giants are preparing for major overhauls with their respective squads this summer. So who could be on their way out? Gareth Bale’s future at Real Madrid remains one of the […]
ANY combined XI for Real Madrid and Barcelona is mouth-watering, even if it consists of players up for sale this summer.
Both of Spain’s footballing giants are preparing for major overhauls with their respective squads this summer. So who could be on their way out?
Gareth Bale’s future at Real Madrid remains one of the hottest talking points as the summer transfer window looms.
Struggling under Santiago Solari, he was destined to be let go – but only if another club is willing to pay his huge wages, which could prove unlikely.
Zinedine Zidane came in and has trusted the Welshman for the full 90 minutes in Real’s last two games.
Bale grabbed himself a goal against Celta Vigo but the manager admitted this week his winger’s future will be decided in the summer.
Zidane said: “Gareth is an important member of the squad.
“Nobody can take away what he has done. We know he can bring a lot to the team, and we will count on him.
“We are going to play these ten games [left this season], and then we will see. That does not mean that, afterwards, there will be changes.”
MASS EXODUS?
But Bale is not the only man who could be let go by Zidane.
Thibaut Courtois – who arrived from Chelsea for £38million last summer – has struggled since arriving at the Bernabeu.
Not only has his form been inconsistent but the Madridistas have not taken to him. Add into the mix that Zidane likes fan-favourite Keylor Navas and it could spell trouble for the Belgian.
Midfield pairing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos played a major role in Los Blancos winning three Champions League titles in a row.
But they are both at risk of being sold this summer, with Inter Milan likely to go back in for Modric after missing out on the Ballon d’Or winner last year.
Marco Asensio is another midfielder who could be let go despite showing real promise over recent seasons but Isco was handed a lifeline when Zidane returned to the dugout.
BIG-NAME REPLACEMENTS
The mass exodus in midfield could of course be in order to lure Paul Pogba to the Bernabeu, a move which he described as a “dream” during international duty last month.
Raphael Varane and Marcelo have also been tipped with transfers, as has main striker Karim Benzema.
The left-back could follow former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus while Varane is a target for Manchester United.
If Benzema was to leave, though, Real Madrid would surely have to sign a big-name striker.
Is compatriot Kylian Mbappe a possibility?
And could Eden Hazard also be on his way?
NEW-LOOK NOU CAMP
At Barcelona, meanwhile, defender Samuel Umtiti could be deemed surplus to requirements.
Despite winning the World Cup with France just nine months ago, he has fallen down the pecking order this season.
Gerard Pique and summer signing Clement Lenglet appear the first-choice pairing while another new boy Jean-Clair Todibo is also challenging for a starting spot.
Further forward, Ivan Rakitic’s future has been thrown into question with the £65.4million signing of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax.
The talented Dutchman agreed a deal earlier in the season but will join up with his new team-mates this summer.
And finally, Philippe Coutinho has endured a nightmare season at the Nou Camp.
Latest transfer news
He signed from Liverpool for £145million last January but he has managed just five goals and two assists in the league this season.
Coach Ernesto Valverde may have seen enough and could look to offload the Brazilian this summer in an attempt to cut Barca’s losses.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be interested but a return to Anfield seems unlikely after he seemingly burned some bridges to force through his move last year.
