26 Apr 2026 16:57 BST |
5 min read
Real Madrid are expected to be in for a busy summer of transition after a disappointing campaign which has left the club in a state of disarray.
Los Blancos are set to end the campaign without a major trophy for the second season running, the first time that has happened in more than 15 years.
Having sacked Xabi Alonso mid-season after just six months in charge, Madrid are also expected to part ways with his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa as they look to make wholesale changes following their decline.
Many players are also expected to follow Arbeloa out the exit door and FootballTransfers takes a look at five Real Madrid stars who could leave this summer.
Dani Carvajal
A number of players are expected to leave Real on a free transfer this summer when their contracts expire such as David Alaba, however none will be more significant than Dani Carvajal.
The 34-year-old was named as captain for the season but he has made just eight starts in La Liga this season and reports have emerged of tension between Carvajal and Arbeloa.
Even with Arbeloa likely to be sacked this summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold is still considered Real’s future at right-back and it is becoming increasingly likely that Carvajal’s 23-year career at the club could be coming to an end this season.
Vinicius Junior
As if losing their captain wouldn’t cause enough turbulence, Real could be forced to cash in on star player Vinicius Junior if talks over a new contract continue to stall.
Vini Jr’s current deal expires next summer and both parties have struggled to reach a compromise despite more than a year of negotiations, leading to the need to sell the Brazilian this summer to avoid losing him for free in 2027.
Despite the impasse, both Vini and the club have insisted they wish to come to an agreement and progress could be made in the coming months but, with interest from Saudi Arabia and the Premier League, a blockbuster transfer could still be on this summer.
Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga could also headline Real’s departures this summer, particularly after his high-profile sending off in the Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich in April.
The 23-year-old’s career in Madrid was already hanging in the balance after inconsistent displays and many injuries since moving from Rennes in 2021 but two quick bookings after coming off the bench in the second leg in Germany, leading to Bayern’s turnaround victory, may have put the nail in Camavinga’s coffin.
Although Camavinga is keen to stay with Real, the Spanish giants are believed to be open to his departure for €50 million, with Premier League sides already said to be monitoring the situation closely.
Dani Ceballos
Fringe players will also be let go this summer and, with just four starts all season in the league, Dani Ceballos is expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Ceballos has been somewhat of a forgotten figure in recent months, with a number of academy youngsters often preferred to him in the matchday squad and Arbeloa seemed unfazed when asked about the midfielder’s absence recently.
With one year remaining on his contract and having not played since February, Ceballos will seek a new venture this summer as Ajax and two other sides are said to be interested in the 29-year-old.
Gonzalo Garcia
A number of youngsters have also failed to prove Real of their credentials and could be moved on this summer, such as Gonzalo Garcia, despite being highly-rated by the club.
Garcia reached global attention when he won the top goalscorer award at the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025 after netting four times in six games but the 22-year-old has struggled this season.
With just four goals in 25 matches, Real are open to Garcia’s departure for the right fee, particularly with many sides across Europe and the Premier League said to be keen on signing the striker this summer.
Related stories:
Brighton issue clear response to Man Utd’s Carlos Baleba plan
Michael Carrick’s personality quirk that could stop him becoming Man Utd manager
Transfer Rumours: Salah ‘discussed’ as Arsenal prepare ‘aggressive’ free agent offer
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
