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Real Madrid will have nine on-loan players returning to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.
While some of them could be sent on another loan spell or sold off, a few of them could have the opportunity to cement a place in the starting XI next season.
On that note, let's have a look at five such players who could make the Real Madrid starting XI in 2021-22.
Five Real Madrid on-loan players who could make the playing XI next season:
#1 Takefusa Kubo - Getafe CF
The immensely talented Japanese youngster, Takefusa Kubo, has had an underwhelming on-loan campaign at two different clubs this season.
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Real Madrid snapped up the wunderkind right under the noses of their rivals, FC Barcelona, despite Kubo being a part of Barcelona's famed La Masia. While the teenage sensation is one of the first names on his national side, Kubo has found life hard in Madrid. The 2020-21 season has seen the winger go on loan to two different Spanish clubs.
The 19-year old showed promise last season at Real Mallorca but hasn't been able to back that up this campaign.
Kubo's initial loan spell at Villareal this season was cut short after he struggled to find a regular starting place in Unai Emery's team. In 30 combined appearances for Villareal and Getafe, Kobu has only managed a solitary goal and four assists.
Nevertheless, the Japanese wonder kid is an elegant dribbler and showcases sound technique with the ball at his feet. But it remains to be seen if he has done enough to return to his parent club at the end of the current campaign.
However, if Zinedine Zidane decides to inject youthful energy into his Real Madrid playing XI, Kubo could be one to watch out for.
#2 Dani Ceballos - Arsenal FC
The 24-year old Spanish international Dani Ceballos was tipped to be the man to partner Thomas Partey at the centre of Arsenal's midfield and have a dominating presence. However, it has been somewhat of a roller-coaster season for Ceballos.
Even though the Real Madrid midfielder is in his second successive loan stint at the Emirates, he hasn't managed to nail down a spot in the starting XI. It would be fair to say that the talented midfielder has had a rather underwhelming season.
However, it's not all gloomy for the 24-year old. Ceballos has won an impressive 70% and holds the top spot in tackles attempted among all Arsenal players. Moreover, the Real Madrid loanee ranks second in terms of chances created from open play.
Ceballos may not have had the best of seasons, but he could have done enough to return to Real Madrid and play a role in their playing XI.
#3 Luka Jovic - Eintracht Frankfurt
Real Madrid's Luka Jović has led the line admirably for Eintracht Frankfurt this season.
The Serb was in scorching hot-form in front of goal for Eintracht Frankfurt when he first caught the attention of Real Madrid a few years back. From 2017-19, he scored 25 goals for Frankfurt in just 54 appearances. However, the 23-year old didn't really get going in the whites of Real Madrid and made a return to Eintracht Frankfurt in this year's January transfer window.
Since his move, Luka Jović has found his confidence and goal-scoring touch once again, which was evident in his first match back at Frankfurt.
Coming off the bench at 1-1 against Schalke, the Serbian scored a brace to guide Eintracht Frankfurt to a 3-1 win. In 11 appearances in the Bundesliga this year, Jovic has scored three goals and provided an assist.
It remains to be seen if Jovic has done enough to merit a return to Real Madrid, but he could do a job for the Merengues up front next season, going by his form for Frankfurt.
#4 Gareth Bale - Tottenham Hotspur FC
Another Real Madrid player who returned 'home' this season, albeit temporarily, is Gareth Bale.
Zinedine Zidane hasn't been the biggest fan of the Welshman, and Jose Mourinho's team selection seemed to justify the Frenchman's decision to send out Bale on loan.
The 31-year old found a starting spot hard to come by at Tottenham Hotspur on his second homecoming. But since the turn of the year, Bale's play has been reminiscent of his good old days in front of a packed White Hart Lane.
In 25 appearances for Spurs this season, the 31-year old has had a fabulous return of ten goals and three assists. Moreover, Bale has made an average of 2.6 dribbles and four crosses per 90.
Even though he has lost some pace, the Welshman's passing range has been one to behold. He has had a pass completion rate of 77%, with 15.5 passes per 90 in the final third. After Bale's impressive start to 2021, it would be unfair on Real Madrid to not give the 31-year old another chance to redeem himself.
#5 Martin Odegaard - Arsenal FC
The supremely talented midfielder from Norway - Martin Odegaard - has hit the ground running since arriving at Arsenal from Real Madrid on loan this January.
In 21 appearances, he has scored twice and has had an excellent passing accuracy of 88%, to go with a whopping 28.4 passes played per 90 in the final third.
There was massive hype surrounding the youngster when he joined Real Madrid at just 16 after a much-talked-about transfer from Stromsgodset Toppfotball. The now 22-year old became the youngest debutant in Real Madrid's history when he donned the whites against Getafe in a 7-3 drubbing.
However, the Norwegian has had a tough time moving away from home and settling in a foreign land, where he does not speak the native language. After loan moves to four different clubs, Odegaard seems to have finally settled at the Etihad.
While Real Madrid have a settled midfield of Casmeiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Odegaard might find a few more chances if he does go return to the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
Going by his performances at Arsenal, the Norwegian, perhaps, deserves to get back to Zidane's XI.
