Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez are once again in the firing zone at Real Madrid

Recent spending patterns means Real Madrid don't have the same necessity to sell as Barcelona at the end of this season.

While Barca were spending £141 million on Philippe Coutinho for example, Madrid were buying Fede Valverde, Martin Odegaard, Marco Asensio, Dani Ceballos, Take Kubo, Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius, Reinier Jesus and Andriy Lunin all for a joint £132m.

The club's decision to buy younger and cheaper with Eden Hazard the only 'Galactico' signing since 2013 has paid off financially. But hoarding the world's best young talent has bloated the squad.

Zinedine Zidane has so many young players out on loan that if everyone returns at the end of this season there will 37 players at his disposal. Sportsmail look at some of those who might go as Real Madrid try to whittle down their playing list to just 23 players.

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

Where could he go?

James scored 17 goals in the 2014-15 campaign at Real Madrid. That was under Carlo Ancelotti who also tried to take him on loan to Napoli after he left Spain. So no wonder then that the Colombian has been linked to Everton. Wolves could also be an option if he moves to the Premier League because of the Jorge Mendes connection.

How much?

The figure £44m has been mentioned and it's true he is only 28. But his contract runs out in 2021. Madrid will take less.

What could he bring?

Last season, James scored just once in 13 games for Bayern Munich and he has not fitted in back at Madrid this season. At a smaller club than Bayern or Real Madrid, however, he could be focal point of a team and if he responded in the right way to the responsibility the signing could pay-off.

GARETH BALE

Where could he go?

A lucrative foreign league still looks the only way out. There is no real desire to go back to the Premier League and no one there would pay his Real Madrid wages anyway. He remains happy to stay at Madrid and he is still in a strong position with a contract until 2022 but if last summer's scenario re-presented itself it's hard to see Madrid saying no this time.

Jiangsu Suning were ready to make Bale a global top earner in China until Madrid decided they wanted to hold on for a transfer fee. We wait to see how the coronavirus affects the Chinese Super League long-term. Recent plans to restart at the end of May have met with some resistance from overseas players reluctant to risk going away from their Europe-based families knowing that if there are more cases of coronavirus and lockdowns resume they could be stranded far from their loved ones.

How much?

It's not inconceivable that Madrid let him leave for a nominal fee talking up having got him off the wage bill. They still need to find the right club to take him however. He's stayed against the odds for the last two seasons; don't bet against a third.

What could he bring?

Bale still possesses his trademark blistering pace and a record of 105 goals in 249 games, as well as 67 assists, is one that is the envy of most other players in the world. His injury record at Madrid has been a cause of frustration but if he's fit then he still has the quality to improve some of the best teams in Europe.

LUCAS VAZQUEZ

Where could he go?

The ever-reliable winger has been a survivor at Real Madrid getting important minutes every season no matter who the club sign but if Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio hit the ground running after injury devastated seasons this time around it's hard to see how he keeps repeating the trick with young Brazilians Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior likely to get more minutes every season. The Premier League or Serie A would be the most likely destinations if he leaves, with a move to the MLS further down the line.

How much?

With only a year left on his contract it's hard to see Real Madrid getting more than £17.6m.

What would he bring?

A no-nonsense winger he gets the ball, gets to the byline and delivers quality crosses. He's been there and done it in the biggest games. Would be interesting to see what he could do playing more regularly.

MARCELO

Where could he go?

One of the benefits of Achraf Hakimi's potential permanent return on loan from Borussia Dortmund is he is ability to play as left-back as well as in his favoured right-back spot. That might leave the way open for Madrid to allow Marcelo to leave after an incredible 13 years at the club. His contract runs until 2022 so there is still room for Real Madrid to draw a fee from someone. Cristiano Ronaldo has long wanted his Brazilian pal to join him in Serie A.

How much?

Madrid will want around £18m but Juventus are unlikely to want to pay that much at this stage of his career.

What would he bring?

He will be 32 next month. Dani Alves was 33 when he moved to Juventus and got to a European Cup final with them.

MARIANO DIAZ

Where could he go?

Roma and Valencia have taken an interest in the past. The 26-year-old forward would fit in at Valencia if they have to sell Maxi Gomez or Rodrigo Moreno at the end of the season. And Roma still haven't forgotten how he scored against them on his debut in the Champions League in 2018.

How much?

He is on a long contract until 2023 so they will not want to give him away. Around £13m would probably persuade Madrid to let him leave.

What would he bring?

In two different spells at Madrid under Zidane, Mariano has scored eight goals in just 551 minutes of football – one every 69 minutes. No one can argue he's not prolific.