In terms of what they're usually capable of achieving, this season in the domestic scene has been poor for Real Madrid. While Zinedine Zidane has turned things around after a poor start to the season under Rafael Benitez, the club can redeem themselves only by hoping Barcelona or Atletico Madrid lose out in the race.
While Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric have performed admirably, a host of current Real Madrid players have had below-par seasons and are likely to be sold. They've either performed badly on the pitch or have been so poor Zidane has overlooked them completely.
Here are five players Real Madrid should sell – and players who they can buy to fill in those gaps:
#5 Karim Benzema
The Frenchman has had an exceptional season at the Bernabeu scoring 25 goals in all competitions but his involvement in sex tape scandal involving his French national teammate, Mathieu Valbuena, has seen his stock drop drastically.
Playing for Real Madrid is amongst the highest honours in world football. Only a chosen few have the chance to wear the white of Madrid and with the shirt comes the responsibility of having to set an example and Benzema's behaviour off the field has seen him linked with spending considerable amount of time in jail.
Real Madrid are a huge club and they will not want a player who is sent to jail while actively representing the club. Benzema's involvement in the taping incident is highly unfortunate. He's an incredible striker, one of the best in Europe but only if he'd known to behave himself and stay away from unnecessary drama.
Possible replacements: Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku.
#4 Mateo Kovacic
Seen one of the better investments at the start of the season, Mateo Kovacic had everything to succeed at Real Madrid. Pace, control, key passes and the ability to control the game are all abundant in this 21-year old yet ever since Rafael Benitez's sacking, the Croat has barely featured for his side.
The thought of him linking up with compatriot Luka Modric at the heart of the Real Madrid's midfield was a mouth-watering prospect. At Inter Milan, he was exceptional whenever he played. Linking up with slightly deeper midfielders, Kovacic was the link that often released forwards through on goal and at Real Madrid, he was expected to do the same to Ronaldo and Bale.
Zidane, though, doesn't seem to trust the youngster keeping him on the bench and rarely bringing him on. While the Los Blancos could have really improved with the youngsters performance, it's highly likely he'll be sold. Maybe a move to the Premier League or another top European club will help.
Possible replacements: Ilkay Gundagon, Aaron Ramsey, and Paul Pogba.
#3 James Rodriguez
The Colombian is an exceptional player and on his day can demolish the best of opponents reducing them to mere bystanders but has been involved in multiple incidents this season where he's criticised the club, the manager and his current role.
Having signed last summer after an excellent FIFA World Cup, he took to the Liga BBVA like a duck to water but has recently been given lesser and lesser chances in the first team outlining his future at the Bernabeu. While Zidane remains a fan of the player, his antics off it and him blaming the club in multiple reports probably ended his reign at the Spanish capital.
Linked with moves to plenty of Europe's top clubs, Rodriguez will not be short of choices come the summer transfer window.
Possible replacements: Mario Gotze, Christian Eriksen and Eden Hazard.
#2 Alvaro Arbeloa
The Spaniard has had an almost invisible season this time around under both the managers. While his contribution to the club over the past few years in undebatable, the time has come for him to pass on the torch to someone else.
At 33, he's unable to keep up with the kind of performances that are expected with ravaging full-backs, especially the kind Real Madrid usually employ. He's only made seven appearances this season for the club and three of those have come from the bench. If that isn't a sign of what his future holds, we're unaware of what is.
Marcelo has excelled in Arbeloa's usual left-back slot this season linking up exceptionally well with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. While Arbeloa's assured presence when on the ball will be missed, he's simply too big a player for the club to have on the bench.
Possible replacements: Luis Gaya, David Alaba and Ricardo Rodriguez.
#1 Danilo
Where did it all go wrong for young Danilo? The Portuguese right-back signed for Real Madrid from Porto for €31.5 million and was highly expected to live up to his potential given his performances for the Portuguese club in the Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League but he looks a shadow of who he was.
Most recently, against VFL Wolfsburg in the UEFA Champions League, Danilo is blamed for Real Madrid's poor performance. His failure to hold position and mark players had him take all the blame allowing the likes of Julian Draxler and Max Arnold to do that they do best.
While he seemed like a promising talent, Danilo needs a change in scenario if he's to succeed. The 24-year-old still has the best years of his career ahead of him and will best be served playing somewhere where the demands don't weigh him down so much.
Possible replacements: Hector Bellerin, Cesar Azpilicueta and Mario Fernandes.
