Real Madrid are set for a significant summer rebuild, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that three senior players will leave the club at the end of the season.
The changes come as Jose Mourinho prepares to return to the Santiago Bernabeu for a second spell in charge. The Portuguese coach has reportedly agreed an initial two-year deal, with Real Madrid hoping his experience, authority and personality can help restore the club to the top of European football.
However, Mourinho is expected to begin his new era without Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Dani Ceballos.
Romano reported on his YouTube channel that all three players are heading for the exit. Carvajal, Real Madrid’s captain, will leave as a free agent, with the club also confirming his departure publicly. Alaba is also set to depart on a free transfer, while Ceballos is expected to be sold as he enters the final year of his contract.
Ceballos could have several options, with Marseille, Real Betis and Ajax all named as possible destinations.
The departures underline the scale of the transition facing Madrid this summer. Carvajal and Alaba have been key figures in the club’s recent success, while Ceballos has remained a useful squad option in midfield.
There is also growing attention around Kylian Mbappe’s future. The French forward arrived in Madrid with huge expectations and has delivered impressive numbers, scoring 85 goals across two seasons.
Yet Real Madrid’s overall results have not matched those individual figures. Barcelona have dominated domestically under Hansi Flick, recently winning a second straight La Liga title, while Madrid’s Champions League form has also declined since Mbappe’s arrival.
Reports from AS and L’Equipe claim Mbappe is no longer viewed as untouchable by the club’s hierarchy. AS suggests Madrid could consider a drastic decision if concerns over his behaviour continue, while L’Equipe reports that senior figures are questioning whether Mbappe and Vinicius Junior can function together in the same attack.
The issue is not only about goals. Both players remain elite talents, but Madrid’s lack of defensive work from the front has reportedly caused problems for the rest of the team when out of possession.
Even so, any Mbappe exit would be extremely complicated. Real Madrid would not consider a cut-price sale for one of the world’s biggest stars, and any transfer would likely require a record-breaking fee.
For now, Mourinho’s return is expected to trigger a new chapter at the Bernabeu. But with senior players leaving and questions growing around Mbappe, Real Madrid could be heading into one of their most dramatic summers in years.
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