The 10 Real Madrid Footballers Who Could Be Part of the “Merengue Cleanse”
The Madrid club is planning a historic purge: heavyweights in defense, midfield, and attack could leave in a summer of radical changes.
A clean slate?
Real Madrid is going through a period of total redefinition, and the so-called "Limpia Merengue" could become the most drastic change in recent years. After two seasons without winning any titles, the club's management is planning a purge that would affect ten players from the first team. The operation, which seeks to restore the team's competitiveness and freshness, will be under the supervision of the next coach: everything points to José Mourinho, unless the selection process produces a surprise
Possible intended changes
The goalkeeping position is the first area of focus. Andriy Lunin, despite his remarkable performances, will be put on the market to make way for Javi Navarro, a young talent who shone in the Youth League. In defense, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are leaving at the end of their contracts, while Antonio Rüdiger has extended his contract for another year. The left back is another focus of attention: Fran García could leave to make room for Álvaro Carreras, a signing from last summer. The case of Ferland Mendy is more complex: having recently undergone surgery for a serious injury, the club is considering terminating his contract, even with doubts about its contractual validity.
The midfield will also be shaken up. Dani Ceballos is in the final year of his contract and will be transferred. Eduardo Camavinga has not reached the expected level, and Fede Valverde, after the incident with Tchouaméni, is on the list of possible sales. In his case, the club hopes to get a high sum.
In the attack, Gonzalo lost prominence after his explosion at the Club World Cup, and his departure seems inevitable. The big question mark is Vinicius Jr.: with a contract until June 2027, there are still no signs of renewal. If an agreement is not reached, selling him this summer would be the only way to prevent him from leaving as a free agent in 2027.
Restructuring
The "Limpia Merengue" is not just a name change; it is an attempt to re-establish a sports project that seeks to recover Madrid's winning identity. Mourinho, if his return is confirmed, will have the final say in a process that promises to shake the foundations of the locker room
