Zidane planning to axe 8 Real Madrid players

Zinedine Zidane is reportedly planning a massive clearout at Real Madrid – with Gareth Bale and Luka Modric among eight players to be offloaded.

The French coach has endured a tough start to the new season, with Real currently trailing leaders Barcelona by 10 points in La Liga, while they were blown away by Tottenham in their last Champions League outing.

Zidane is said to be at loggerheads with Real president Florentino Perez and has informed him of which players are no longer part of plans going forward.

According to Diario Goal, Manchester United target Bale heads the list of players who will be allowed to leave, while Lucas Vazquez and Dani Ceballos are expected to be sent out on loan in January.

The major exits are expected to happen next summer, however, with Bale, Modric, Marcos Llorente, Kiko Casilla, Achraf Hakimi and Jesus Vallejo all being shown the door.

Bale’s exit is not at all surprising, given his constant injury issues, but Modric’s availability is a shock.

The former Tottenham star, 32, is still regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football and there will be no shortage of clubs chasing the gifted Croatian.