With a month to go until the league debut, the white team has halted its transfer machinery. Club sources assure that there will be no new signings until the future of players like Ceballos, Carvajal, and Alaba is resolved, as they are no longer part of Mourinho's plans.
Real Madrid has stopped its transfer plans for the 2026/27 season. With a month until the start of the league, the white club has not finalised any signings beyond those already announced, and from Valdebebas, they assert that the situation will not change until the departures of several players who are not in José Mourinho's plans are resolved.
"It is impossible for players to come in if others do not leave," explain sources close to the Madrid team. The sporting management is at a standstill: while convincing new players to join the project is relatively easy, offloading those who are no longer needed is a much more complex process.
Among the players who have started pre-season under Mourinho but whose futures are uncertain are Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba. All three have been informed that they are not part of the Portuguese coach's plans, but so far none have found a definitive destination.
The club has already completed some outgoing operations. Fran García was transferred to Betis, Nico Paz to Como, and Mario Martín left after Getafe acquired the remaining 50% of his rights. However, the bulk of the squad remains unchanged, preventing the arrival of new reinforcements.
The Initial Roadmap and Pending Signings
Real Madrid's planning started strongly. Initially, the club demonstrated its intention to change direction with the signings of Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella, two players expected to deliver immediate results. Then came Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konaté, two reinforcements to strengthen the defensive line, a priority for Mourinho, who has been key in shaping the squad.
However, the project renewal is incomplete. The team still lacks a centre-back and, above all, a midfielder capable of anchoring the play, a role that Real Madrid has been trying to fill unsuccessfully since Toni Kroos's unexpected retirement in 2024. Camavinga, Güler, Valverde, Tchouaméni, and Brahim have all been considered for that position, reflecting the uncertainty in midfield.
Meanwhile, the market remains frozen. The club states that no progress is being made on any particular name. The machinery is stalled, waiting to see what will happen with the players who are not in Mourinho's plans or whom Real Madrid considers likely to be loaned out.
The Camavinga Case at the Centre of Uncertainty
One of the names generating the most doubt is Eduardo Camavinga. The French midfielder is under contract until 2029, an argument he uses in his negotiations with the club. His market value has decreased over the past season, and the red card against Bayern Munich was the final blow to a year in which he never felt comfortable.
Real Madrid does not want to put him on the market at any price. The club understands that there is an inflationary context, especially in the Premier League, where the Frenchman would have suitors. Manchester United has been the most profitable commercial partner for the whites in their recent sales, but a valuation of 60 million euros raises concerns, despite the starting price being set at 80.
Camavinga's situation reflects the club's difficulty in offloading players with long contracts and high salaries. Real Madrid needs to sell in order to buy, but the market does not always respond to their expectations. As the weeks pass, the focus has shifted to the weakest link: Camavinga himself, who could be the big sale of the summer if a suitable offer arrives.
A Shrinking Market for Madrid
The problem for Real Madrid is that this need to offload players is also perceived in the market, reducing their negotiating power. Interested clubs know that the whites need to sell and try to take advantage of that urgency to lower prices.
In addition to Ceballos, Carvajal, and Alaba, other players like Tchouaméni or Valverde have been mentioned as possible departures, but as the weeks have passed, those options have become clearer. The Uruguayan, who faced Tchouaméni last season, now seems more consolidated in Mourinho's plans.
Real Madrid hopes that once the departures are resolved, they can resume their transfer plans. In the meantime, the white fans will have to wait to see who the last reinforcements will be for a season that promises to be crucial for Mourinho's new project.
The next pre-season match will be another opportunity for players on the verge of leaving to prove their worth. But if there is no movement in the market, Real Madrid could start the league with an incomplete squad.
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