Following Real Madrid's announcement that their profits decreased by €300-million over the past year, here are 11 players the club could sell in this window.
Per Marca, the LaLiga giants recently confirmed that they have made a loss of about €300 million (R5.1 billion) since March 2020, when COVID-19 first forced teams to play in empty stadiums, resulting in massive losses in matchday revenue.
Read: Real considering Lewandowski swoop?
Many of Europe's elite clubs were forced to take out loans or pursue government assistance to keep them from going out of business, and Real were no different, reportedly taking out a loan of €375 million (R6.4 billion) to finance the Santiago Bernabeu renovation project.
Scroll through the gallery above to see 11 players Los Blancos could sell in this transfer window
Returning manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly looking to give certain fringe players, such as Luka Jovic, Martin Odegaard, Isco, Dani Ceballos and Gareth Bale, a new chance to prove themselves at the club, but the Italian tactician may be forced to sell some of his prized assets.
According to Transfermarkt, Los Blancos spent €63 million (R1 billion) to sign promising striker Jovic in 2019, but the 23-year-old struggled to live up to his price tag under previous Real manager Zinedine Zidane.
The Serbian forward was said to be looking forward to impressing new boss Ancelotti, but it appears that might not be possible anymore as he will reportedly be sold at the right price.
Midfield duo Odegaard and Ceballos impressed while on loan at Arsenal in the 2020/21 campaign after being deemed surplus to requirements at Real, but could also find themselves on the transfer list as the Spanish giants aim to raise funds for potential signings.
Defender Raphael Varane, meanwhile, may be an important player in the new manager's plans, but the 28-year-old has reportedly asked to leave the club.
With one year left on his contract, Los Blancos could be forced to sell him in this window as it would be their last chance to command a high fee for the France international, who has been strongly linked with Manchester United – scroll through the gallery above to see some more Real stars who could soon be sold!