According to AS, Real Madrid plans to offload several players and is considering selling a key midfielder to fund the acquisition of a versatile midfielder that Mourinho wants.
AS has exclusively reported that Ceballos has reached an agreement with Real Madrid to terminate his contract, and this is just the beginning. With Real Madrid signing numerous players, the club plans to arrange departures for several squad members. Most importantly, Real Madrid is willing to make a significant sale in midfield. This sale will help meet a Mourinho requirement to strengthen the squad after signing another center-back: acquiring a high-level midfielder who can cover both boxes and organize play. Currently, two names are on the list: West Ham United's Matheus Fernandes and Chelsea's Enzo Fernández. However, the crucial point is that internally, the club believes the midfielder Mourinho wants cannot arrive unless a substantial player departs first.
Real Madrid needs to complete this anticipated sale before making a marquee signing. It is worth noting that in addition to spending nearly 200 million euros last summer on Hüijsen, Carreras, Mastantuono, and Trent, Real Madrid has already invested 50 million euros for Cucurella and 20 million euros for Dumfries in the current transfer window, and has also borne signing fees for Bernardo Silva and Konaté.
Among the current squad, two players have strong reputations and market value: Camavinga and Tchouaméni. Camavinga's situation within the team is less stable. His trajectory at Real Madrid has clearly declined. This season, he has participated in only 43% of matches, a low figure for a player who started in the 2024 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
The French midfielder has received tempting offers from the Premier League, and Paris Saint-Germain has also made informal approaches. Real Madrid paid 40 million euros to sign him from Rennes in 2021, so his transfer cost has been fully amortized. However, Camavinga has not expressed a desire to leave the club.
Another highly marketable player in Real Madrid's current squad is Tchouaméni, who was one of the standout performers during Real Madrid's second consecutive trophy-less season. Real Madrid signed him from Monaco for 80 million euros in summer 2022. Like Camavinga, his transfer cost has also been fully amortized. It remains to be seen how Mourinho's tactical approach and formation will suit Tchouaméni.
It also remains to be seen how the relationship between Tchouaméni and Valverde will develop, and whether the two can coexist. In principle, both parties have resolved this matter. By contrast, Valverde's departure would be more complicated, as the club considers him a core pillar and current captain. Since Ancelotti's departure, the Uruguayan has endured difficult months at Real Madrid, something the club has not overlooked. According to Transfermarkt, his market valuation is 90 million euros.
The transfer window has just opened, and major European teams' squads are still being finalized. Real Madrid needs to create space for new signings Bernardo Silva, Konaté, Dumfries, and Cucurella by offloading several players, while also raising funds to sign the versatile, creative midfielder Mourinho desires. Real Madrid is making significant efforts to overhaul its squad, seeking players different from those signed in recent years—players who can perform immediately and help erase the bad habits that have recently begun to resurface.