Five players who could leave Real Madrid in January to save careers

The countdown to the January transfer window continues with clubs across Europe planning for players coming in or out of their clubs.

La Liga giants Real Madrid are likely to be focusing more on outgoings than incomings this winter as they attempt to continue to free up funds in their squad.

The Spanish capital side are targeting a deal for Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe as a free agent next summer with the French striker's wages likely to be significant.

Madrid have also been linked with appointing Michael Edwards - the transfer guru who is set to leave Liverpool - which would mean that they could be set to invest more from next summer onwards.

With those potential deals, Real Madrid need to trim down their squad and there are five players who could save their careers by exiting Los Blancos.

Eden Hazard

Since joining Real Madrid over two years ago from Chelsea in a club record deal, Eden Hazard has been blighted by multiple fitness issues and injury setbacks.

Hazard joined Madrid for a transfer fee that could rise to £130million when all add-ons are included - a record fee for the Spanish giants, yet he has been unable to match his expectations.

He has been hit with setback after setback since his switch to the Spanish capital, where he has started just 25 matches in La Liga out of a possible 93.

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He has found the net just five times for the club and is yet to score in 12 appearances to date this campaign - over half of which have been from the substitute's bench.

Behind Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio in the attacking pecking order in the Spanish capital and an exit looks increasingly likely.

Gareth Bale

The Welshman started all of Madrid's opening three La Liga games this campaign before picking up an injury on international duty, meaning that he has not featured for Los Blancos since.

All three of Bale's appearances since August have been for his national side, with the club seemingly likely to allow the player to leave the club if a suitor arrives for the player.

Despite being well-liked by boss Carlo Ancelotti, Bale is no longer a first choice player in the Spanish capital and the club would be keen to shift on his wage bill.

Dani Ceballos

The midfielder has not played for Real Madrid since April 2019 with an ankle injury ruling him out of action so far this season having returned from two seasons on loan at Arsenal.

Ceballos was unlikely to feature for Ancelotti's side with their regular midfield trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos, supplemented by Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga.

A return to Real Betis has been rumoured, but an exit from the Spanish capital in either January or this summer appears to be on the cards.

Isco

Another player who once starred for club and country but whose stock has declined dramatically in recent seasons.

He has started just two La Liga games this season - having been in the XI in eight matches the previous campaign - and not featuring at all in Europe this season.

Aged 29 and a relatively high earner, Real Madrid will be prioritising finding a suitable club to sign Isco on a permanent contract.

Luka Jovic

Real Madrid signed the highly-rated Serbian striker Luka Jovic for a £57million fee in 2019 but he has not made an impression in the Spanish capital.

Jovic has scored just three goals in 43 Los Blancos appearances and spent the second half of last season on loan back at Eintracht Frankfurt having netted 27 goals in the 2018-19 campaign.

Aged just 23, Jovic still has a bright future and could be on the market at an affordable price.