Which positions will they target in 2026?
Real Madrid are looking for centre-backs and midfielders in the transfer market.
The contracts of 32-year-old Antonio Rüdiger and 33-year-old David Alaba will expire in June – the former’s future remains uncertain, while the latter is expected to bid farewell to the Bernabéu.
With Javi Guerra, Éder Militão and youth product Raúl Asensio being Real Madrid’s only regular defensive options, the club is considering other plans to strengthen the backline.
As for midfield, there is a growing consensus that Real Madrid need to sign a player capable of controlling the game’s tempo – a void that has existed since Toni Kroos left in 2024 and Luka Modrić departed this summer.
Has Real Madrid already started targeting specific players?
Transfer rumors surrounding players are rife.
In defense, according to Camel Live, Real Madrid has informed Liverpool that they will not pursue Ibrahima Konaté.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is not currently Real Madrid’s top target.
Additionally, there are rumors about Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano. All these players’ contracts will expire in June, which has always been an attractive signing target for Real Madrid.
Promoting defenders from Real Madrid Castilla is not a viable option, but this path remains available as a fallback. 18-year-old Joan Martínez is the most promising prospect, while other potential players include 18-year-old right-back Diego Aguado and 19-year-old Víctor Valderas.
Real Madrid also holds buyback clauses for several youth products. The club continues to monitor their development after they were sold.
Examples include Como’s Jacob Ramírez (though Real Madrid usually waits at least two seasons before recalling players sent out on loan, and the 20-year-old left last summer) or 23-year-old Rafa Marín, who is currently on loan at Villarreal from Napoli.
Villarreal has a buyout clause in the loan contract, while Real Madrid still holds a buyback clause of approximately €25 million.
Regarding midfielders, several names were already mentioned this summer, when a signing could have been made if Dani Ceballos was sold. This ultimately did not happen, but the names mentioned included AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
We should also keep a close eye on Nico Paz. He left the club in 2024 and has shown his potential after spending one and a half seasons at Como in Serie A, making a possible return in 2026. Real Madrid considered recalling him in June, but Xabi Alonso did not give final approval.
Next June, Real Madrid can activate his exclusive buyback clause for around €9 million.
Which players will they consider selling?
Real Madrid will consider selling Rodrygo. The Brazilian lost his untouchable status last summer, but his willingness to stay prevented Premier League clubs from securing a deal.
Rodrygo has failed to score in 30 consecutive games – a record that ties him with Mariano Díaz for the longest goalless streak by a Real Madrid forward.
Other players to watch include Dani Ceballos and Fran García.
Ceballos sought to leave in the 2024 and 2025 summer transfer windows but received no offers that met both Real Madrid’s requirements and his after-tax salary demand of around €4.5 million. His contract expires in 2027, so Real Madrid may consider lowering their asking price.
Despite García’s impressive performance in the Club World Cup, the left-back has seemingly become the third choice behind Ferland Mendy and César Gelabert. Lack of playing time may make him rethink his future.
We can also anticipate potential changes in the center-forward position.
There were rumors this summer that at least one of Endrick or Gonzalo García might struggle for playing time due to Kylian Mbappé being the mainstay of the attack. The French forward has scored 23 of Real Madrid’s 41 goals in all competitions so far this season.
As early as mid-November, Endrick’s loan move to Lyon was finalized and is expected to be officially completed in December.
Gonzalo García has made only 11 appearances this season, totaling 135 minutes of playing time. While he is expected to stay until the end of the season, many clubs have inquired about his availability in the January and summer transfer windows next year.
