Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forced into tough sales as squad overhaul becomes inevitable – report
There is a growing sense that Real Madrid are approaching a pivotal moment not just on the pitch, but apart from it as well.
Despite still being in contention for the titles, the current reality is far less comfortable than many would assume.
As such, at Valdebebas, the message is becoming increasingly clear that this squad needs fresh energy, but rebuilding it will not be easy.
This is because, according to Ok Diario, financially, Real Madrid are not in a position to spend freely, which means every decision ahead of the summer window must be carefully weighed.
Real Madrid need change
Simply put, the need for change at Real Madrid is obvious.
Across multiple areas of the pitch, there are gaps that cannot be ignored anymore.
In that context, the right-back role remains unresolved, the centre-back department lacks consistency, and most importantly, the midfield is crying out for a true playmaker.
It is arguably the biggest weakness in the current setup, and one that has been exposed repeatedly this season.
However, before any new arrivals are even considered, the outlet mentions that departures are likely to take centre stage.
There will be sales
The club is already preparing for a clear-out, with several players no longer seen as essential to the project.
One of the most surprising names in that conversation is Eduardo Camavinga.
Once viewed as a long-term pillar, his situation now reflects how quickly things can change at a club like Real Madrid when expectations are not met.
Alongside him, Raul Asensio is also expected to move on, as the club looks to create both financial breathing room and space within the squad.
What makes the situation more tense is the context of the season itself.
Real Madrid are staring at the very real possibility of finishing without a major trophy. For a club of this stature, that is not just disappointing, it demands a response.
Unless something extraordinary happens, whether in Europe or La Liga, the summer is likely to be a reset for the club.
One of the biggest positives for Real Madrid from the last season was the breakthrough of young midfielder Thiago Pitarch.
The 19-year-old La Fabrica prospect had been in the first-team dynamics since pre-season under Xabi Alonso, but finally got his senior debut under Alvaro Arbeloa at the turn of the year.
From that moment on, Pitarch did not look back at all, gaining prominence in the team and even starting important matches ahead of established players like Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.
However, things have not gone as per plans for the teenager this season as he has yet to play a single minute of first-team football.
January loan no longer ruled out
As such, Diario AS now reports that Pitarch would consider leaving Real Madrid on loan during the January transfer window if his situation does not improve.
The teenage midfielder suffered an injury in pre-season which kept him sidelined for a few weeks, denying him an opportunity to start the season under Jose Mourinho.
By the time he returned, the Portuguese tactician had already identified his preferred hierarchy in midfield, with the likes of Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva, Aurelien Tchouameni and Camavinga firmly ahead in the pecking order.
A stark difference from his debut season
In his debut season, Pitarch ended with 16 first-team appearances for Real Madrid with two assists to his name.
In contrast, this term, the academy graduate has been called up to the matchday squad for five games by Mourinho this term, but has yet to play a single minute of football.
Given the situation, he used the international break to jump down to Castilla and play close to 250 minutes across three games, during which he also registered an assist.
The situation is far from ideal for a young talent who needs regular minutes to continue his development and build on his impressive breakthrough campaign.
As such, the possibility of a departure on loan in January could be considered, after Pitarch turned down offers in the summer to stay at Real Madrid.
A lot will depend on how things evolve in the next couple of months, but a temporary exit cannot be ruled out.
