It is difficult to remember the last time there was a transfer window on the horizon and Real Madrid was not the center of a long story.
And while every football club in the world is preparing to cut costs as they look to balance the books in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this summer looks like it may be one of the busiest ever for Los Blancos.
Sergio Ramos could be on his way out of Real | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
The La Liga champions have publicly courted the superstar who has been pairing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland for a long time, but Zinedine Zidane’s squad will no doubt need to be trimmed if they are to secure the arrival of any of the youngsters.
The list of potential excursions at the club this summer is ridiculous, with Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vazquez, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Isco, only a handful of the players possibly on their way to the Santiago Bernabeu’s front door will arrive at the end of the season.
Of course, the situations for the above players vary, with Real actively trying to forge ties with some and desperately trying to strike new deals with others.
But Marca reports that the club has identified four young people who are categorically not for sale, no matter how strong a bargaining chip they may prove to be in all summer companies. Vinicius Junior, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo Goes and Martin Odegaard are the four earmarked as key players in the club’s future.
Martin Odegaard is not for sale Julian Finney / Getty Images
Vinicius has been the subject of transfer speculation over the past year, although the report adds that Real will not be tempted to use him as a weight in any deal with Mbappe.
Odegaard’s achievements during his loan spell with Premier League team Arsenal have seen a number of potential suitors leave their interest in the Norwegian captain, although he will also remain off the table in future deals.
Older statesmen Thibaut Courtois, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema have also been marked as not for sale, as the club looks to keep the backbone of the squad that is currently in with a shot to secure Real’s fourth league and Champions League double in history.
