Transfer Rumours | Tactics | Who to buy/sell etc

Perez announced this week that both Marcos Llorente and Vallejo will be brought back next summer for season 17/18.

Given that next year is no signings and that the club obviously plans to stay with same lineup, given they are signing almost everyone to contract extensions, I wonder who will be allowed to leave to fit in the two loanees returning.

Roster is currently 24 (they are allowed one more, but generally speaking 23 is the number usually sought. In the 24 is Mariano, the 3rd (or 4th if you consider Ronaldo) CF. He was kept on rather than loan when at end of preseason, Benz was still injured. He likely will go out on loan (he's 22 and consider that Borja Majoral is younger and better than him), reducing the number to 23.

James is the only other player not utilized (other than Coentrao, but time will tell if he can stay healthy enough to warrant club retaining him).

Llorente comes in as backup to Casemiro, but Vallejo will be a 5th CB?

Logical movement would be to let James go, but something has to be done about the CBs. I can see longer term that Pepe and later Ramos go, but I doubt if it is next season. Could it be that they make Nacho the lateral backup and let Coentrao go?

@Cyborg

DIego Llorente not coming back at least next year.

You have 25 in squad, that doesn't fly and how in earth will you keep 6 CBs happy?

Cyborg, the only times I can remember going with 25 is when we had Javi Garcia and De La Red playing both for Castilla and the big team. The guys in #24 & #25 never get to play, it's the so called practice time that may be valuable to them, otherwise it does nothing but stun their development. 23 is 2 for every position plus a practice portero. Just take a look a what's happening to Mariano and Yañez to reflect on what I´m talking about!

And come on, Nacho is not a CB after his performances this season!!!!! I agree you want the 4th CB at least to be versatile, but to say he is out because of Vallejo, I don´t think so. ...... Unless they plan for one year to go with 5 having them also cover for Marcelo (especially if Coentrao doesn´t stay healthy and productive) and then let Pepe retire the following year.

You also are pushing it with Diego Llorente. He hasn't shown yet he is ready, while Vallejo is (at this point). It's really to Madrid's credit that they have 2 young developing CBs (especially in a country that good CBs are a rare commodity). In a couple of years or three both Ramos and Pepe will be gone and with Varane and Nacho still young, we potentially have 4 good CBs. But let's not rush this nor assume they will continue the development.

I actually started this discussion as I am surprised about Vallejo. I assumed the year after.

Gee Nick, I'm not sure! I saw it first on TV, I think canal 6, and also read on Marca, possibly others.

If it's just a reporter, then they got me as well as several others here. Maybe that's a relief as I can't see a logical way that Vallejo or Diego Llorente comes next year. Marcos yes, but that's not surprising.

Hala, what's been happening with him this season? Has he been injured? He wasn't with U21 team and generally we haven't heard much if anything this year.

Hala, Llorente is 23 (thus not eligible for U21). That means Vallejo is 2 or 3 years younger.

As I had said earlier, don't expect either of them next season. No reason to suspect any of 4 current CBs won't be back next season. Pretty obvious they are intending on staying with same team next season. Only possibilities IMO, are Mariano out on loan, Marcos Llorente returning and you never know what may happen re James.

Naw, Pepe has played that game before. Club wants him back and he wants to stay (obviously for one year at a time). With Varane capable of replacing him and with both Llorente and Vallejo developing well, it doesn't leave Pepe with a lot of bargaining power. IMO, At end of day, as before, Pepe will sign a one year extension, perhaps with an option (for both club and player) to extend a further year.

It's the same situation as was done with Barca. They appealed to CAS in Aug or Sep asking for a quick ruling.

They said quick as they were hoping for success particularly with the kids prohibited from playing. The kids part was dealt with (positively) quickly but actual appeal re signing ban still is unheard. So just like Barca, they will get one last shot at a market before the ban takes effect, assuming of course that the appeal will be denied in early 2017.

Big question will be what will club do? They have gone out of their way saying
1. Ban is unjust, they are innocent and appeal should be granted.
2. They also said they are happy with squad they have plus the talent they have out on loan.

But all that was before
1. The injuries that have occured.
2. The performance of Benz.
3. The performance of James.
4. The glaring holes at DM, LB bench strength.

On the other hand, what talent is available in January!

In other words, who knows?