Premier League on alert as 5 set to leave Real Madrid
With Jose Mourinho looking to stamp his mark upon Real Madrid, he is almost certain to bring in a draft of big-name players in order to dethrone Spanish champions Barcelona. The Spanish and English press are already working in overdrive, suggesting that the ‘Special One’ is looking to sign the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole. The anticipated summer influx at the Bernabeu will undoubtedly cast doubt over the futures of several current Real Madrid players. With Premier League clubs looking to bolster their squads this summer, they could do far worse than look to Madrid for reinforcements. The following five players are all expected to leave Spain this summer.
Lassana Diarra
A familiar name to fans of English football, the little man known as ‘Lass’ could be set for a return to English shores. Despite an impressive first campaign at the Bernabeu, the former Chelsea man frequently found himself out of favour at Real Madrid last season and may be surplus to requirements this summer.
The tough-tackling midfielder would find himself welcome at a number of Premier League sides this summer. Manchester United, bereft of the steel provided by the injured Owen Hargreaves, would greatly benefit from Diarra’s drive and tenacity. Arsenal, a side considered to be to ‘too soft’, could do far worse than re-signing the Frenchman to strengthen their midfield. Either way, Diarra is likely to be a sought-after commodity this summer.
Royston Drenthe
Having seen his career stall at the Bernabeu, former Dutch U21 international Royston Drenthe is likely to leave Real Madrid before the start of next season. The 24-year-old, who can competently perform at both left-back and left-midfield, has been used sparingly at the club, featuring just 28 times in La Liga over the course of the last two seasons.
Despite an impressive start to his Real Madrid career, Drenthe’s form and development has dipped, with the player failing to build upon the promise that he showed at former club Feyenoord. Indeed the Dutch ace struggled with anxiety issues having been booed by his own fans during the club’s 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna two seasons ago. Royston Drenthe has been rumoured to have been offered as a makeweight in Real Madrid’s bid to sign hotly coveted winger Angel di Maria, thus suggesting that his Bernabeu future is non-existent. Juventus are also thought to be keeping tabs on the 24-year-old.
Guti
The frequently-controversial Guti looks set to seek pastures new this summer. A product of Real Madrid’s youth academy, the attacking midfielder is thought to have played his last game for the club, with Jose Mourinho informing Spanish newspaper AS that “Guti, for me, is out. I read his statements and for me that is what counts. He said goodbye to the fans and left the field”.
Rumours have suggested that Guti may be heading for the rainy climes of northwest England, with Blackburn Rovers thought to have made a tentative offer for the midfielder. Guti may relish the opportunity to link up with former team-mate and close friend Michel Salgado at Ewood Park, as well as the chance to work under Sam Allardyce, a man who facilitated the Indian summers of Youri Djorkaeff, Fernando Hierro and Jay-Jay Okocha. Should he decline a move to Ewood Park, Guti will have no shortage of suitors, as Galatasaray and Zenit St. Petersburg are both thought to be interested in the 33-year-old.
Raul
Raul’s status as Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer does not look like it will be enough to save him from the Bernabeu axe this summer. Having scored an astonishing 324 goals for the capital club, the curtain may be about to fall on the Spaniard’s glorious 16-year career at Real Madrid. Stories emerging from Spanish newspaper AS suggest that the club are considering a termination of his contract one year early, thus allowing him to move on this summer for free.
Though no Real Madrid officials have commented on such conjecture, Jose Mourinho said of Raul that, “He is a player I have always admired, but the decision whether or not he plays rests with (Real sports director Jorge) Valdano.” Although the 32-year-old is set to enter the twilight of his career, his pedigree is unquestionable and he has a lot to offer for prospective clubs. Likely to be available on a free, many managers could do a lot worse than taking a punt on such a distinguished individual.
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Rafael van der Vaart
Set to feature heavily for the Dutch national side this summer, versatile midfielder Rafael van der Vaart would be a quality acquisition for any side looking to boost their creative options. The versatile schemer, who can operate in a variety of roles in the attacking third, has not enjoyed a happy time at the Bernabeu since his move from German side Hamburg in 2008. Following the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini last summer, the Dutch international was informed that he would not be a part of the now-departed manager’s plans for that season, with his diminished squad status highlighted by his failure to receive a squad number. However, Van der Vaart admirably managed to force his way back into manager’s plans, impressively ending the season with seven goals in 30 outings for Los Blancos.
Despite his Real Madrid re-emergence, the former Ajax man’s Spanish future looks to be in doubt. Compatriot and close friend Arjen Robben recently said of van der Vaart that “He has told me that, if Bayern were to ask him to come, he would cycle to Munich just to get a contract here”, adding “Rafael told me that Bayern is a great club when we were playing together at Real Madrid.” In spite of van der Vaart’s admiration for the German side, the player has been heavily linked with potential moves to both Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford this summer.
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