MU Shorts
Four stars who Mourinho and Real Madrid want to sell and their stance on potential exits
With Jose Mourinho taking over the reins, Real Madrid are overseeing a major squad overhaul this summer.
As many as four new signings have already been secured in the form of Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, and Marc Cucurella, although only the Spanish left-back has been announced officially so far.
More incomings are expected, and for that to happen, Los Blancos will need to create room in their squad with some departures.
After all, the Real Madrid squad currently has 27 players, includings Franco Mastantuono who was registered with the reserve team. But La Liga regulations allow for 25 players’ registration.
In that regard, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic reports that both Mourinho and Real Madrid have drawn up a list of four players who they are ready to sell in the summer.
Raul Asencio
The La Fabrica graduate endured a difficult season in 2025/26 and even endured a falling-out with former manager Alvaro Arbeloa. It gave way to speculations over his future at the club, especially with Los Blancos looking to rope in another centre-back.
Mourinho and Real Madrid are said to be open to his departure. But Asencio, who has already signed a new contract with the club until 2031, does not wish to leave.
Moreover, those close to him suggest that the Spanish defender feels the confidence of the club in him, and as such, he is looking forward to the new season under Mourinho.
Ferland Mendy
Meanwhile, the signing of Marc Cucurella has now made the departure of at least one left-back a necessity at the Real Madrid. And, both the club and Mourinho see Ferland Mendy as an expendable player.
However, the fact that he is currently injured and will not be able to return to action until at least October makes a summer exit difficult.
Furthermore, the Frenchman’s entourage point to his contract, which runs until 2028, and remain confident he can win his place back in the team under Mourinho.
Fran Garcia
It leaves Fran Garcia as the likeliest candidate to leave Real Madrid this summer to free up space at left-back.
The Spanish defender came close to a departure in January, when he almost signed for Bournemouth. Now, given the situation in his position, the former Rayo Vallecano ace is weighing his options as he considers a departure.
There is interest from La Liga club Real Betis, while teams in the Premier League and other top European leagues have also shown interest in Garcia.
Dani Ceballos
Finally, the last player that Mourinho and Real Madrid want to sell is Dani Ceballos, who has been out of favour at the club for a while now.
Unlike some of the players on the list, the Spanish midfielder is very much open to the idea of a departure this summer in search of regular game-time.
However, Ceballos is angling for a free-transfer exit, given his contract expires in 2027, whereas Real Madrid wish to receive compensation for his sale, with Real Betis once again linked.
Real Madrid will be eager to move to the top of the La Liga standings as they get set to take on Real Betis in a Matchday 4 fixture in La Liga tonight.
Under new manager Jose Mourinho, the Merengues have made a strong start to the season, winning three in three, with their latest match ending in a 4-0 triumph against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The fact that superstars like Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. have made strong starts to the season, while new signings Marc Cucurella and Ibrahima Konate have also made positive impact bodes well for Los Blancos.
The aim will be to secure their fourth victory in a row and continue building the momentum especially with the UEFA Champions League opener against Inter Milan coming up next.
Going into the game, though, Real Madrid will once again be without as many as seven players as Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes, Thiago Pitarch, and Raul Asencio remain unavailable.
New teenage signing Sergio Martinez has been named in the squad and could be in line for his debut at Estadio de La Cartuja tonight.
Having made some rotations to the starting XI last time out against Malaga, here’s how Mourinho could set his Real Madrid team up tonight.
Defence
Thibaut Courtois is a confirmed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will be looking for his second clean sheet of the new campaign.
As for the defensive line, there is likely to be only one change with Ibrahima Konate coming back into the team in place of Antonio Rudiger, who made his first start of the season vs Malaga.
Dean Huijsen has been a constant fixture at the heart of the defence so far and that is unlikely to change.
At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold appears set to retain his place after an impressive display in his first start of the season last weekend. It means, new signing Denzel Dumfries will remain on the bench. Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, should start again on the left side.
Midfield
Bernardo Silva was one of the players that Mourinho rotated against Malaga, and is expected to return to the lineup tonight against Real Betis.
The Portuguese international has done fairly well in his new role as part of the double pivot alongside Federico Valverde, who will retain his place in the team.
It would mean Eduardo Camavinga misses out after having a decent game on his first start of the season last weekend.
Jude Bellingham has been in spectacular form since the start of the season, already racking up two goals and two assists from three games. Back in his preferred role as an attacking midfielder, he will start there again tonight.
Attack
Moving into the attacking unit, Mourinho is expected to make one key change as Arda Guler should replace Brahim Diaz on the right flank after scoring Real Madrid’s fourth goal against Malaga coming on as a substitute.
What it also means is that blockbuster summer signing Yan Diomande will have to wait for his first start for Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has already scored four goals in three games, making a blistering start to the season and will be aiming to build on that as he chases a hat-trick of Pichichi Trophies.
Rounding off the attacking trident will be superstar Vinicius Jr., who will also be hoping to get among the goals.
