Five players who could leave Real Madrid in January

Real Madrid are sitting pretty at the summit of La Liga with a five-point lead over second-place Sevilla with a game in hand and have successfully navigated the Champions League group stages, setting up a last-16 tie with PSG after topping their group.

It has been a more than solid start under returning head coach Carlo Ancelotti, with fans and pundits previously worried about an ageing squad at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign.

The reality is the squad is getting older, and new players will need to be brought in during the summer to help maintain any success achieved this term.

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With financial restrictions at Santiago Bernabeu due to the renovation of the famous stadium, for new players to arrive, Madrid will need to get rid of some current stars and free up some funds for transfer fees and salaries.

Here, FootballTransfers takes a look at who is likely to leave Los Blancos, potentially in the January transfer window.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has long cut a divisive figure at Real Madrid, with his success at the club overshadowed by the belief among many supporters that he has never been fully committed to their cause.

Fans have never forgiven him for the 'Wales, Golf, Madrid - In that Order' flag and he is likely to leave the club come the summer, when his huge contract expires.

After spending last season on loan at Tottenham, a return to the Premier League to see out his career is likely.

He may just retire so he can spend more time on the golf course, but a January move is not not out of the question, with Southampton and Spurs said to be interested.

Eden Hazard

Signed for over €100 million in 2019, it has never worked at Real Madrid for Eden Hazard.

The man who lit up the Premier League had hoped to achieve his Champions League dream with Los Blancos, but instead saw his former club Chelsea lift it in his absence in 2021.

He has only started six times in La Liga this season and is clearly not seen as a key player by Ancelotti.

A return to Chelsea will always be rumoured, but newly rich Newcastle may fancy their chances of landing the 30-year-old, while a return to Lille has also been mentioned.

Luka Jovic

Ancelotti is a manager not known for his chopping and changing of his team, and when the club is doing so well it is hard for fringe players to make an impact.

Jovic arrived in Madrid after starring for Eintracht Frankfurt but was loaned back to the Bundesliga for the second half of last season.

It is hard to see him turning his fortunes around, despite age being on his side at just 23 years old. If Madrid get any decent offer, Jovic may be off.

Isco

It is hard to believe that Isco is approaching 30-years-old considering he was always the talented young star of the Champions League-winning teams.

But age comes to us all, even the player who has often lit up the Spanish capital with his performances.

Linked with a move to Arsenal last summer, Isco's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and it is unlikely the club will look to renew, which could lead to them cashing in for money in January.

Rodrygo

The one player on the list who could fetch big money in the transfer market is Rodrygo, who is being chased by Liverpool.

The 20-year-old is said to be a 'top target' for Jurgen Klopp, and the club are reportedly willing to pay €80m for the Brazilian.

According to El Nacional, the Reds had a summer bid of €60m rejected for Rodrygo.

Madrid want to keep Rodrygo for the moment, but with Kylian Mbappe's arrival imminent on the right of the attack, the Brazilian might seek a move away for guaranteed first-team football.