Five players who could leave Real Madrid in the summer

If reports in the papers and online are to be believed, all is not well at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Spanish capital.

With there being infighting between key members of the Real Madrid squad and coach Jose Mourinho, here in my opinion are five players who could leave Los Merengues this summer.

Iker Casillas

Shocking as it may seem, the son of Real Madrid could be on his way out if Portuguese gaffer Mourinho is to have his way in the Spanish capital.

Now currently out of first team action due to surgery on a hand injury sustained when team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa accidentally kicked him, Real Madrid have already recruited Diego Lopez as back-up – and a potential replacement – for him between the sticks.

Ever present in the Real Madrid set-up since making his début for Los Blancos at the age of 17, loyal Madridistas will be loath to see San Iker leave the Bernabeu.

But with him apparently at loggerheads over the way Mourinho runs things, if the former Chelsea boss does stay on, it might well be the Spaniard who vacates the number one shirt at Real next season.

Nuri Sahin

Once considered the next big thing at Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid seemed to be the next logical step in the rise of the talented Turk up the ladder.

Joining Real three years ago, Sahin featured intermittently at best for his new side, with Xabi Alonso being preferred in the holding midfield role to him.

With him facing competition from both the Spanish international and Frenchman Lassana Diarra, Sahin found playing time hard to come by.

Probably as a means of moulding Sahin into an Alonso-like player and ensuring he knew how to deal with the physical aspect of the game, the Turkey midfielder was loaned out to Liverpool in the Premier League, the side Alonso had previously played for before coming to Spain.

But questions raised over his attitude which stemmed from his unwillingness to be fielded out of position at Anfield saw his temporary transfer to England cancelled this January, with him re-joining Dortmund until the end of the season to regain his form and confidence.

But with the current situation in the middle of the park in Madrid, Sahin may still find a first-team berth hard to come by next season.

Xabi Alonso

The World Cup and European Championship winner has been a mainstay in the Real Madrid starting XI since joining them from Liverpool in the summer of 2009.

Known for his no-nonsense approach to tackling and the ease with which he picks out teammates, Alonso’s pedigree is enhanced by his ability to accurately shoot from distance.

But the 31-year-old has apparently refused to sign a new contract with the capital club and with Nuri Sahin waiting in the wings, it could be either Alonso or the Turkish midfielder who leaves next summer.

Should be choose to move on, there will surely be several takers for the Basque native’s signature.

Sergio Ramos

Another player who seems to be at loggerheads with Mourinho according to the Spanish press, the versatile Spain defender has been a veritable rock at the back for Real Madrid.

Having adapted his game to play in the centre of the park, the long-haired Ramos is one of the first names on the club’s team sheet.

But if reports are to be believed, Ramos seems to be at odds with his Portuguese boss. Known for taking the ‘my way or the highway’ route, Ramos could be one to face the ‘Special One’s’ axe, although he might not be the ‘Only One’ facing it.

That being said, should Mourinho vacate the Bernabeu hotseat, Ramos will surely continue to be one of the foundation stones of the Real Madrid team.

Should he choose to leave, there will be no dearth of potential employers for someone who has won an impressive collection of trophies with both club and country.

Ricardo Kaka

Heralded as one of the Nuevo Galacticos when he first came to Madrid along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Kaka and Real Madrid seemed a match made in heaven.

And for a season or so, it certainly appeared that way as he was influential in the centre of the park for the Blancos.

But last summer saw the arrival of German midfielder Mesut Ozil, who would certainly give Kaka competition for his place in the starting eleven in the hopes of supplanting the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner.

Sadly, that is just what happened to him. Injured and off form, Kaka was relegated to the bench when fit and only played a supporting role in helping Real to the title last season.

With the arrival of Croatian international midfielder Luka Modric this summer, Kaka has found first-team opportunities in Spain hard to come by. That being said, he still shows the quality and skill he is known for whenever he represents Real Madrid.

With his refusal to take a pay cut stalling talks of a new contract, Kaka will be sure to find employment elsewhere should he elect to call time on his stint in the Spanish capital.