Real Madrid enjoyed a dream season on the pitch but are now set to undergo a ruthless clearout this summer as they continue to evolve their squad.
Los Blancos defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final on Saturday night to cap a memorable season for Carlo Ancelotti's side. The success came within a month of Real Madrid securing their 35th La Liga title with four rounds of action remaining as they cantered to the success.
Even though they already have a relatively small squad, there are multiple high-earners who play bit-part roles at the club and are set to leave this summer, with a number of players out of contract.
Mirror Football looks at the seven players who are set to leave the Spanish and European champions this summer.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to his nine-year stay in the Spanish capital.
Bale has recently hit out at Spanish media outlet Marca as being "disgusting" for comparing him to a parasite over claims he is sucking money out of the Spanish giants. Bale concluded a rant against the reports by stating: "We all know who the real parasite is!" The forward had faced fresh criticism from the Madrid media after his starring role for Wales in their playoff win over Austria in March.
Now he is a free agent and has been tipped with a return to the Premier League this season, freeing up plenty of wages in the Spanish capital in the process.
READ MORE: 5 clubs Gareth Bale could join next after being denied Real Madrid send-off
Marcelo
Real Madrid club captain Marcelo has said his goodbyes to the club after it was confirmed he was leaving this summer at the end of his contract.
The veteran Brazilian has spent 16 years at the club and while it is anticipated that he will return to Brazil, no future move has yet been confirmed.
Have Your Say! Which Real Madrid players would be a good fit in the Premier League? Tell us what you think here.
Marcelo has been second choice behind Ferland Mendy in the pecking order for the left-back position this campaign yet has remained an inspirational figure on the sidelines. Indeed, Madrid boss Ancelotti has regularly consulted with Marcelo when pondering what decisions to make during matches.
Eden Hazard
Since joining Real Madrid three years ago from Chelsea in a club-record deal, Eden Hazard has been blighted by multiple fitness issues and injury setbacks.
Hazard joined Madrid for a transfer fee that could rise to £130million when all add-ons are included – a record fee for the Spanish giants, yet he has been unable to match his expectations. He has been hit with setback after setback since his switch to the Spanish capital, where he has started just 28 matches in La Liga out of a possible 114.
The Belgian has found the net just six times for the club and not at all in La Liga or the Champions League this season. Behind Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio in the attacking pecking order in the Spanish capital – before any summer arrivals - and an exit looks increasingly likely.
Isco
Another player who formerly starred for club and country but whose stock has declined dramatically in recent seasons.
He started just three La Liga games this campaign – having been in the XI in eight matches the previous season – and did not feature at all in Europe. Aged 30 and a relatively high earner, it was no surprise that Isco's contract was not renewed and he is now a free agent.
Frequently linked with a move to the Premier League, perhaps his most likely destination is Real Betis, which would see him reunited with his former coach at Malaga Manuel Pellegrini.
Luka Jovic
Real Madrid signed the highly-rated Serbian striker Luka Jovic for a £57million fee in 2019 but he has not made an impression in the Spanish capital.
Jovic has scored just three goals in 51 Los Blancos appearances and spent the second half of last season on loan back at Eintracht Frankfurt having netted 27 goals in the 2018-19 campaign. He was not even included the squad for this season's Champions League.
Aged just 24, Jovic still has a bright future and could be on the market at an affordable price.
Mariano Diaz
Another striker whom Real Madrid have been actively trying to offload under multiple managers, the 28-year-old returned to Spain in 2019 but has started just eight La Liga games in three seasons.
A forward who has barely played for the Spanish giants despite his £16million return from Lyon, where he netted 21 goals in his one full season. Almost certain to be on the move this year.
Dani Ceballos
Dani Ceballos was unlikely to feature for Ancelotti's side after returning from two seasons on loan at Arsenal, with Madrid's regular midfield trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos, supplemented by Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga.
A return to Real Betis has been rumoured – the player is believed to have openly sought out this possibility several times in the past year - but an exit from the Spanish capital this summer appears to be on the cards.
