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Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is planning major changes - up to eight footballers could leave the team, according to the Spanish press.
To strengthen the squad for the next season, special attention from the Portuguese coach and football director Jose Angel Sanchez will be focused on the right-back position. In addition, at least some new players will be sought to be acquired before the European Championship, as prices could rise afterwards.
There may no longer be room in the club for reserve goalkeeper Antonio Adan, defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Raul Albiol, midfielders Lassana Diarra, Hamit Altintop, Nuri Sahin, and Kaka, as well as forward Gonzalo Higuain. Sahin might be loaned out by "Los Blancos", while Kaka, Higuain, and Adan are likely to be sold as they cannot expect a guaranteed place in the first team.
Carvalho and Albiol will also look for new teams, followed by Diarra, whose relationship with Mourinho has deteriorated in recent years. Altintop hardly played at all this season.
It is said that Mourinho wants to acquire a top-class goalkeeper who could compete with Iker Casillas. One of the main candidates is Thibaut Courtois, who belongs to London's Chelsea but is on loan at Madrid's Atletico. There is also interest in 23-year-old Benfica defender Axel Witsel, whose price of 40 million euros could be reduced through a deal involving Jese.
The defense could be strengthened by Dutch national team's right-back Gregory van der Wiel, who is also of interest to Valencia, and Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Iraola. The list of candidates also includes Thiago Silva, representing Milan, but the Italian champions are unlikely to sell him, so the name of Napoli's Federico Fernandez is also mentioned.
In the midfield, "Sao Paulo" player Lucas Moura is a contender, for whom "Real" has reportedly offered 30 million euros. Also in the spotlight is Athletic's leader, Javi Martinez, valued at 40 million euros, and Yann M'Vila, who currently plays for Rennes and is highly sought after by London's Arsenal.
If Higuain were to leave, he could be replaced by either Sergio Aguero or Edin Dzeko representing Man City, or Athletic star Fernando Llorente.
