Reports: Six superstars can leave Real Madrid in summer
What's the rumor?
According to a report from Spanish media outlet AS, three-time consecutive Champions League winners Real Madrid can offload as much as six of their superstars in the coming summer.
In case you didn't know...
Madrid are enduring a poor season considering their sky-high standards. Their domestic campaign almost seems over as they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey semi-finals and they are 12 points behind league leaders Barcelona after their recent two defeats against their arch-rivals.
Los Blancos experienced one of their worst starts to a campaign ever under former boss Julen Lopetegui, who was fired midseason due to a string of poor performances.
Despite a change in the hot seat and some improvements, it is crystal clear that it is not enough to propel Real Madrid to much success this season. Los Blancos can go trophyless unless they win the Champions League for the 4th successive time, which leaves the players and coach Santiago Solari a mountain to climb.
Moreover, Los Blancos also lost three out of their four fixtures against Barcelona this season, winning none which depicts a major difference of quality in the two sides.
The heart of the matter
It goes without saying that there will be consequences at the Santiago Bernabeu after a dismal season and Los Blancos can experience a revamp in their squad as they look to offload few of their stars, who have performed below expectations this season.
According to the report, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Isco top the list along with Jesus Vallejo, Mariano Diaz, and Brahim Diaz.
Gareth Bale and Isco are the prominent names on the list, as they are out of favor with the coach and board while Marcelo remains the unexpected ones. Three of these superstars has been benched and it goes without saying that they are way below the pecking order in the squad.
Rumor rating: 5/10
Florentino Perez has clearly run out of patience with these superstars and it is likely that he will bring reinforcements and offload these stars to make way for better players in the summer.
What's next?
Real Madrid will look to salvage their season as they face Ajax in the Champions League midweek.