Five Real Madrid players who need a transfer this summer

Karan Tejwani

• Updated: 4 Aug 2022 17:18 BST
• 5 min read

Real Madrid won the Champions League title last season and in an attempt to avoid standing still, they've already been very active in the transfer market.

They’ve already completed two signings in the form of Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea on a free transfer and Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco in a deal worth €100 million.

Key to the ongoing success of the Bernabeu side, though, will be their ability to remove players from their squad that they no longer want. They have started this process by allowing Luka Jovic to depart on a free transfer to Fiorentina, despite having several years to run on his contract after a €60 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019.

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Here are five more players who could leave Carlo Ancelotti’s club this summer, and perhaps should if they wish to progress their careers.

Andriy Lunin

Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Ukrainian club Zorya Lugansk, but has rarely featured for the club’s senior team due to the presence of Thibaut Courtois.

He’s had loan spells away at clubs like Real Valladolid and Real Oviedo, and only made four appearances in the 2021-22 campaign, two of which came in the Copa del Rey.

Being only 23, a move away from Real Madrid could benefit him in improving for the long-run and would do wonders for his career as he will not be replacing Courtois in between the sticks anytime soon.

Jesus Vallejo

Jesus Vallejo has rarely played for Real Madrid over the years, often serving as a back-up option, which is not what the club expected when they signed him.

Vallejo joined in 2017, and has spent time away on loan frequently, including an unsuccessful spell at Wolves, but during the 2021-22 season, served as a back-up to David Alaba, Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao.

With Rudiger arriving, the potential for him to play will be even more limited and at the age of 25, it may be a good time for him to move away.

Dani Ceballos

Another player who’s acted as a back-up option and has had loan spells away is Dani Ceballos.

Ceballos featured in important moments for Real Madrid off the bench in 2021-22 – especially in the Champions League, but his talent suggests he'd be better off at the club where he'd see the pitch more often.

A move would make sense, especially seeing as Tchouameni’s arrival will mean time on the pitch is restricted again and he could do with leaving.

Marco Asensio

The Spanish winger had a bright start to life at Real Madrid in 2016 and was seen as one of the country’s biggest talents when he was coming through.

However, Asensio’s injury luck hasn’t been great and that has hindered his progress at Real Madrid, which has led to belief the club will be open to selling.

Asensio’s contract at the club runs out next year and Real Madrid can get a fee for the player, with the likes of AC Milan, Manchester United and Arsenal reportedly interested at various stages during the summer.

However, Gareth bale's departure and Eden Hazard's fitness record suggests that Asensio won't be going anywhere.

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 11, 2021

Mariano Diaz

Mariano Diaz is a Real Madrid player virtually in name only. He has spent 10 years at the club - interrupted by a successful move to Lyon - but over that period he has played just 73 matches. Only 11 of those came last season, in which he clocked up fewer than 400 on-field minutes.

Diaz showed during his time in Lyon that there is a decent player there - he scored 18 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches - but if he is ever to discover that level, he simply has to leave the Bernabeu.

This is especially true as Borja Mayoral and Eden Hazard appear to be Carlo Ancelotti's preferred backup options to Karim Benzema this season.