The seven Real Madrid players set to leave on a free transfer

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 23 Jan 2023 08:50 GMT
• 4 min read

Real Madrid have seven senior players whose contracts will expire at the end of the current season.

All players whose deals run out this summer are now able to begin discussions with new clubs over a Bosman Transfer.

All over Europe there are a host of big-name stars who are set to be available on a free transfer, including the likes of PSG’s Lionel Messi, Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante and Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.

Premier League 2022/23 January transfers: All the Done Deals

Real Madrid are particularly affected as they have seven senior players on their books whose contracts expire at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Which Real Madrid players see their contracts expire in 2023?

The biggest star set to be a free agent is Karim Benzema, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder. It had been widely expected for several months that Benzema would pen an extension at the Santiago Bernabeu but still no deal has been officially signed. Nevertheless, most experts are confident that Benzema will stay on for one more year with Madrid.

Luka Modric is now 37 but is still playing at a world-class level and for that reason he is expected to stay for another year also. Modric and Madrid will discuss a new deal in the closing weeks of the season, as they usually do.

Toni Kroos is 33 and his future is much more in doubt than his long-term central midfield partner. There have been reports that Kroos may even contemplate early retirement at the end of the season. It is expected that discussions on his future will begin in the next month or two.

Marco Asensio was close to leaving Real Madrid last season and his future is still very much in doubt. Asensio is unhappy with his lack of minutes this campaign and Madrid are unconvinced of his importance to the squad. A contract renewal is not impossible but it needs to be on terms that suit both parties.

Dani Ceballos is expected to leave Real Madrid on a free transfer, having become a bit-part player at the Bernabeu.

Nacho Fernandez was expected to sign a new contract earlier in the season but now is likely to leave. Mariano Diaz should also depart on a free transfer.