Five Real Madrid players who could leave in January

Suraj Radia

18 Dec 2025 21:04 GMT
5 min read

Real Madrid may be forced to make some rare moves in the January transfer window in order to ensure their season does not spiral after a troubling period to end 2025.

Article continues under the video

The Spanish giants have endured a tricky patch of form which has seen them surrender their initial lead at the top of La Liga and pile the pressure on manager Xabi Alonso.

However, Real may only look to sign players if they can first see some stars depart, with Alonso keen not to further rock the harmony inside his tense dressing room.

FootballTransfers takes a look at five players who could leave Real Madrid in January.

Vinicius Junior

The uncertainty surrounding Vinicius Junior’s contract situation means that his future is never certain in Madrid even if any departure is more likely to be in the summer.

The Brazilian international is entering the final 18 months of his contract with talks at an impasse and tensions still on a knife’s edge with Alonso.

Although Vini Jr may hold out to assess potential interest from Premier League clubs after the World Cup next summer, the forward is still a long-term target for the Saudi Pro League and they may look to make a winter approach if his situation becomes more precarious.

Endrick

The most likely departure for Real in January is that of Endrick, who has been in talks to join a major European side on loan in order to find regular first team football after a difficult time in Spain.

The 19-year-old has played just 12 minutes of La Liga action this season and he has yet to live up to the expectations of his €47.5 million transfer last summer.

Los Blancos still have high hopes for Endrick and a deal has already been agreed with Lyon for the forward to spend the remainder of the season with the Ligue 1 side, with just the final approval needed before a deal will be completed early in the window.

Gonzalo Garcia

Another forward who is likely to leave in search of first team minutes is Gonzalo Garcia, having struggled to build on his impressive Club World Cup campaign during the summer.

Garcia scored four times in six matches during the tournament but the 21-year-old has not scored in 15 appearances this season, albeit with 13 of them off the bench.

Real could sanction a sale for Garcia for the right price but the player is believed to be reluctant to leave permanently despite interest and a loan move could be explored instead.

Ferland Mendy

Ferland Mendy has become surplus to requirements at Real Madrid even with the constant injuries their defence has suffered and it is only a matter of when, not if, the 30-year-old leaves the club.

Current ETV

Ferland Mendy

D (L)

Real Madrid

Ferland Mendy

D (L)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€10.6M - €13M

Mendy joined Real in 2019 for €53m but the Frenchman has struggled with injuries in recent times and he has played just one match this season in the Champions League.

With a contract until 2028, Real are desperate to get Mendy off their books as soon as possible but it appears unlikely that any offers will be forthcoming unless the left-back can find some form or fitness in the coming weeks.

Franco Mastantuono

Franco Mastantuono arrived as one of Real Madrid’s biggest transfers of the summer despite his tender age, costing the club €45m from River Plate.

The 18-year-old began the season as a regular starter but injuries have limited him to just 97 minutes of action in the past two months and the Argentine forward may face an uphill battle to get back into the team.

Recent reports have claimed that Mastantuono could seek a loan move away for the second half of the season in order to keep playing regularly and secure a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad next summer, with Real open to the idea.

Football transfer news headlines today

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea target €60m deal as January’s ‘most wanted’ star revealed

Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd updates, Bruno Fernandes future, Semenyo race

Liverpool launch Nico Williams move: Reds spare no expense in latest blockbuster bid

‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ and Bruno Fernandes outburst – 24 hours that rocked Man Utd and Ineos

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store