Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic has predicted major exits next summer, after two summers without bringing in any large fee for their departing stars. This transfer window has seen Endrick Felipe arrive for €40-60m, and Kylian Mbappe arrive on a free, but with significant cost in terms of salary.
There has been talk about Rodrygo Goes potentially leaving the club, but the Brazilian has been adamant that he is going nowhere, despite the arrivals of Endrick and Mbappe. Mijatovic, who was at one time a sporting director under Florentino Perez too, has explained that the over-stocking of stars could lead to a sale.
“Knowing a little bit about how Real Madrid manages everything it has been doing these years, with very good sales, I don’t rule out seeing something like that [big sales],” Mijatovic told Cadena SER.
“I’m not saying it will definitely happen. It also depends on the footballer himself. If a player doesn’t feel comfortable, isn’t happy and internally asks to leave in some fashion, Madrid have nothing against it. Next year there will be big sales for sure, several, or at least it’s very probable that there will be.”
Certainly the forward line, defined by Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, has ample competition for places. Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo and Endrick are all competing for the same minutes, not to mention Jude Bellingham. He could be pushed back to midfield, but if that is the case, one of Eduardo Camavinga or Aurelien Tchouameni could become frustrated at the lack of a starting role, especially the former.
Meanwhile Mijatovic’s words come after Vinicius reportedly became conscious of an offer that would see him earn over €1b from Saudi Arabia. It seems unlikely he will leave, but Real Madrid will be forced to negotiate a new contract with him next summer, and the Saudi offer will likely still be on the table.
Did nobody informed Mijatovic that the number of matches in a season increases with this year? The new format of the Champions League, plus Club Championships not to mention LaLiga, Spanish Cup and national teams matches, they will all be demanding more players. Real needs to be what it was in 2014 where they had one team and a half of pure starter players.