5 players Real Madrid could sell in January 2019

On May 26 2018, Real Madrid lifted their 13th Champions League title, accomplishing a three-peat in the process, as Zinedine Zidane's men trumped over Klopp's Liverpool 3-1 at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex. On balance, it was all sunshine and rainbows for Madrid fans as they walked home full of the joys of spring that day.

Fast-forward to December 2018, Real Madrid are undergoing one of the worst patches in their 116-year history.

So how did it all start? Well, it's pretty difficult to trace the root cause of the problem, but if I were to take a vague guess, the seed was sown with the shocking departure of Zinedine Zidane.

Nevertheless, the reasons don't really matter much. What matters is how the plight can be bettered, and obviously a massive turnaround is needed to achieve that. The January transfer window is just around the corner, and Los Blancos will have to be in full swing to acquire the much-needed recruits.

Of course, that also warrants jettisoning the dead wood. On that note, lets take a look at 5 players Real Madrid could sell in January.

#5 Keylor Navas

Since the arrival of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea in the summer, Keylor Navas has found himself warming the bench for the greater part of the 2018-19 season.

Clearly the Costa Rican, who is a three-time back-to-back-back Champions League winner, isn't too happy with his present situation, in a recent interview, he went on to complain about it.

I went from winning three Champions League titles to not playing

The future of Navas at Real Madrid doesn't look bright, bearing in mind that Santiago Solari, Real Madrid's current manager, has already confirmed Courtois to be his first choice. Consequently, Navas is reportedly pushing for a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in January, and as things stand, his wish might be granted before long.

#4 Marco Asensio

The expectations proved to be too much for the young darling of Spanish football

After Ronaldo's transfer in the summer, innumerable rumours were floating around regarding his replacement at Real Madrid. A number of quality stars were heavily linked with a move to Los Blancos, including the likes of Mbappe, Neymar, Milinković-Savić, Eden Hazard, etc, but no move transpired.

As per many reports, Perez was determined to stick with the present Real Madrid players instead of unnecessarily splurging cash. Naturally, this meant that Marco Asensio had to step up to the plate and show his true mettle. His showings under Zidane had led many fans to believe he possessed the tools required for the job.

However, the expectations proved to be too much for the young darling of Spanish football. His comments haven't helped his case either, as he stated earlier this season that it wasn’t his job to ‘carry’ the team. Shirking responsibility at a club like Real Madrid is never acceptable, and Asensio knows that pretty well, considering the fury he has earned via his statements.

Spurs are keeping close tabs on the Spain international, having identified him as Eriksen's replacement. Perhaps it's a deal that suits all the parties involved to a T.

#3 Toni Kroos

Last season, Toni Kroos had played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's campaign. He was one of the three midfielders who anchored Madrid's attacking unit, and was a permanent fixture in the starting lineup.

All that has seemed to change now. While his companion, Luka Modric, has enjoyed a spectacular year with all those coveted individual trophies, Kroos has found himself slacking off. Under Santiago Solari, he is not even a regular in the starting XI!

The 28-year-old also came under fire, courtesy of the ignominious departure of Germany from World Cup 2018. Even though he did score a breathtaking winner against Sweden, on balance, Kroos failed to make the grade in the tournament.

Despite his recent performances, the German still possesses the allure that could entice many European top dogs to lash out to secure his services.

#2 Karim Benzema

His days at the Santiago Bernabeu are definitely numbered

The fact that Karim Benzema hasn't been offloaded so far and continues to manage a starting spot at Real Madrid is inexplicable, but it is what it is. The Frenchman has found himself in the firing line for the better part of this year, as he hasn't measured up to the standards required of a top-quality player at a top-level club.

Needless to say, Real Madrid have been disastrous in LaLiga this season, and much of it can be attributed to their offensive woes. Benzema, who spearheads Real Madrid's attacking unit, has only scored 5 goals in 15 appearances in LaLiga this season. It goes without saying that a lot more is expected of a player holding such a position.

If Benzema's form continues as such, which looks to be the case at present, his days at the Santiago Bernabeu are definitely numbered, and Real Madrid won't have to think long and hard before cashing in on him.

#1 Gareth Bale

Things haven't turned out the way the Welshman would have wanted them to

Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational transfer to Juventus had presented Bale with a golden opportunity to take up the leadership role at Real Madrid. And he looked all set for the mantle, particularly after that brace against Liverpool. However, things haven't turned out the way the Welshman would have wanted them to.

As the season has progressed, we have seen his form dwindle and it is again a shaky Bale struggling to make an impact on the pitch. With just 4 goals in 14 LaLiga outings, the 29-year-old has been far from his best.

Prior to Ronaldo's exit, Bale was heavily linked with a return to the Premier League after he fell down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane. The Wales international is certainly not short of suitors, and that could prompt Real Madrid to strike while the iron is hot.