Zidane pushing for Real Madrid summer clear out

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Zinedine Zidane will push ahead with plans for a squad overhaul this summer, as he pledges to challenge Barcelona for the La Liga title in 2019-20.

The Frenchman has been clear in his desire to make changes at the club he led to three Champions League title between 2014 and 2017, and that means moving on some big names from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Club President Florentino Perez will fund certain transfer targets, but Zidane will have to clear out players to fund extra moves.

The most high profile names linked with an exit continue to be Gareth Bale and Thibaut Courtois, with the latter already out of the team.

Zidane looks to be edging back towards his old guard, which would mean Keylor Navas returning as No.1 choice, with Courtois potentially looking for a move away to avoid sitting on the bench at a crucial stage of his career.

Bale’s future remains unclear, however Zidane will not allow the Welshman to leave on the cheap, and will be less willing to offload him than has been reported.

In defence, Zidane could make a move for Matthijs De Ligt, although he looks likely to move to either Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the summer.

He has cover across his back four, although Jesus Vallejo could be sent out on loan, meaning an experienced defender could come in.

In midfield, Zidane looks likely to give his tried and trusted one last go next season, with Toni Kroos the only potential departure if they push ahead with a move for Paul Pogba.

Elsewhere in the centre of the park there could be exits, with Marcos Llorente, Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde all in line for either a permanent move away -or in the latter’s case, a loan deal.

Brahim Diaz is also set to be loaned out, although Zidane could push for a transfer, after not being overly impressed with the former Manchester City man following his return to the Spanish capital.

Zidane will also have to make a decision on a raft of loan players returning to the club this summer, including James Rodriguez from Bayern Munich.

The Colombian international is out of contract and likely to be moved on, to ease the wage bill for the possible arrival of Eden Hazard.

Theo Hernandez, Achraf Hakimi and Mateo Kovacic will all be assessed by the former Galactico, with all sell able assets, if he identifies more targets.

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