Outlining an Ideal Summer Transfer Window for Real Madrid

In one part of the Santiago Bernabeu, manager Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid's players will have their eyes fixed on title runs in La Liga and the Champions League. In another, the presidential office, Florentino Perez's attention will be elsewhere: the summer transfer window.

Indeed, the off-season is the president's time to take centre stage—a period of the year he clearly relishes, given his long history of seeking out and capturing the world's biggest stars. 

Last summer, he brought in James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. The year before that it was Gareth Bale. In 2012, it was Luka Modric. Go back a little further, to 2009, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema and Kaka were all signed in the one transfer window.

So what will Perez—and Ancelotti, if you happen to believe the manager has a significant role in the transfer process at the Bernabeu—be looking to achieve this coming summer?

Across the following slides, we examine what moves would constitute an ideal summer window for Real Madrid in 2015, including:

• Potential signings
• Logical sales
• Beneficial loan moves
• Players who need to be kept despite interest from rivals

Transfer In: Danilo

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According to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, Real Madrid have identified Porto right-back Danilo as one of the club's primary targets in the summer transfer window. 

"The Bernabeu club is convinced that the young defender ticks all its boxes and has sent an emissary to Portugal to follow the Brazilian's every step," writes Diaz.

Such a move would appear to be a logical step for Los Blancos. On the right side of Carlo Ancelotti's back four, Daniel Carvajal has been impressive for Real, but his back-up, Alvaro Arbeloa, has rarely been able to replicate his compatriot's displays down the right flank, which are a critical component of the team's attacking approach. 

And at 32 and with less than 18 months remaining on his current deal, Arbeloa might see a move elsewhere as his best chance to secure the last significant contract of his career. 

That situation would give Danilo, who's been ever present at right-back for Porto this season and who's style is similar to Carvajal's, an opportunity to move to the Bernabeu and ensure there's intense competition at right-back—something that inevitably leads to improvement from the relevant players.

Transfer Out: Alvaro Arbeloa

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As mentioned in the previous slide, Alvaro Arbeloa, though an experienced back-up, hasn't been able to match the effectiveness of Daniel Carvajal when used at right-back by Carlo Ancelotti this season. 

Despite being reliable in a defensive sense, the veteran can't replicate the attacking punch provided by his junior—a critical element in Real Madrid's system.

Given his aforementioned age and contract status, it's not hard to imagine the Spaniard moving elsewhere in search of the last substantial deal of his career. 

Reports in England suggest Arbeloa could return to the Premier League, with former club Liverpool touted as a possible destination by the Daily Star. 

Amid a decline in playing time at the Bernabeu, a move away from the Spanish capital looks to be a sensible choice for both parties.

Fight off Interest For: Raphael Varane

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Last summer appeared to be a delicate time for Real Madrid with regard to Raphael Varane. This year's edition of the major transfer window might be just the same.

Indeed, last July, Marca reported that the Frenchman was seeking clarification from Carlo Ancelotti over his role for Los Blancos in 2014-15, apparently concerned over his playing time at the Bernabeu. 

Of course, the outstanding young defender has remained in the Spanish capital and has signed a contract extension with the club that will run until 2020.

But as we've seen so often in football, contracts mean little (James Rodriguez had four years left on his deal with Monaco when he made the switch to Real Madrid) and the likes of Chelsea, who continue to be linked with Varane, likely won't be deterred.

Indeed, the France international would be a logical signing for the Blues, who have an ageing centre-back pairing and are managed by Jose Mourinho—the man who brought Varane to Real from Lens.

But it's imperative for Los Blancos that Varane stays at the Bernabeu. Perhaps the finest young player at his position in Europe, the 21-year-old represents a superb, long-term replacement for Pepe, who's now 31 and in the final 18 months of his contract.  

Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez might just need to convince Varane that he'll be a first-choice defender in 2015-16—something he hasn't been for large portions of the current season. 

6-Month Loan Spell: Jese

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Getting game time for Jese will undoubtedly be a priority for Real Madrid over the coming 12 months. But the question is, can he get the playing time he needs at the Bernabeu?

After starring for Los Blancos in the early months of 2014, the precocious young forward endured a long layoff after suffering a serious knee injury in the Champions League against Schalke last March.

Since returning midway through this season, the Spaniard has been mainly limited to cameo appearances toward the end of games, and despite showing brief glimpses of his ability, he would benefit immensely from an extended run of first-team football in La Liga.  

And therein lies an opportunity for Real Madrid.

Across Spain's top division, there would be a number of clubs interested in acquiring Jese for the first half of next season if it meant they could mount a strong opening six months to stay away from the relegation battle. 

If that were to happen, the 21-year-old would be afforded the opportunity to recapture his best form—he'd fit nicely into attractive sides such as Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo—before returning to Real Madrid for the second half of the season, bolstering the club's depth up top for the gruelling run home.

Transfer In: Jose Gaya

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Florentino Perez made his intentions extremely clear: "We have to sign that kid," he announced, per Marca, while watching Real Madrid do battle with Valencia in January. 

His remark was understandable, given that Jose Gaya ("that kid") was outstanding for Los Che as they fought their way past the European champions, 2-1, at the Mestalla. 

Though just 19, the Spaniard has proven himself to be a potent weapon for Valencia, scoring two goals and registering four assists this season as a dynamic left-back for Nuno Espirito Santo. 

According to Sky Sports, Gaya's buy-out clause is currently £13.4 million—a figure that's well within Real Madrid's resources. Valencia are looking to tie him to the club on a much larger deal in order to fight off Los Blancos' interest.

At this stage, it's unclear whether the player is in favour of a move, but Marca has consistently reported that Real Madrid want Gaya, who would be an impressive option for Carlo Ancelotti behind Marcelo. 

Transfer Out: Fabio Coentrao

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First Alvaro Arbeloa, now Fabio Coentrao. Really?

To many, such a discarding of experience in defence might be considered foolish for Real Madrid, who, if they sold Arbeloa and Coentrao this summer and replaced them with Danilo and Jose Gaya, would be losing two players aged 32 and 26 in exchange for defenders aged 23 and 19.

But as the physical demands of the full-back position continue to increase amid the game's ever-growing athleticism, that's the way the position is going; to be an elite full-back, you now have to be able to attack as well as you defend. Youth and vitality are gradually becoming the major currencies of the position. 

As such, Coentrao looks expendable for Real Madrid, given that Marcelo has held down the left-back position whenever he's been fit and available this season—a change from 2013-14, when the Portuguese was used throughout Los Blancos' run to La Decima. 

But it's not just the style of Coentrao's game—he defends first and attacks second—that's relevant here—it's also the possible figure Real Madrid could get for the Portugal international. 

According to Anthony Chapman of the Express, Premier League clubs could be prepared to spend in excess of £20 million on Coentrao, which might mean a possible deal for Gaya (buy-out clause currently £13.4 million) as his replacement could land the club a net profit. 

Return from Loan Spell: Casemiro

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According to Marca, Real Madrid and president Florentino Perez are delighted with the progress shown by Casemiro this season at Porto, where he's currently on loan after joining the Portuguese club last summer. 

Having made 16 league starts and a further four in the Champions League, the Brazilian has enjoyed the playing time he was denied at the Bernabeu after his transfer from Sao Paulo in 2013. 

Of course, Casemiro may view a return to Real Madrid in 2015-16 as a step that might stall his career. But with both Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi looking likely to find new homes this summer, the 22-year-old could be a valuable asset for Carlo Ancelotti, who's witnessed the effects that a lack of rotation and midfield depth can have in recent months. 

Bringing back Casemiro and selling Illarramendi—two players who perform a similar role—would also generate further funds for the sort of high-profile signing Real Madrid are renowned for. 

Transfer Out: Asier Illarramendi

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There will be a lot of Real Madrid fans who would be disappointed to see Asier Illarramendi leave the club this summer.

Not only did his signing represent part of the club's renewed investment in Spanish talent in 2013, but he's never really enjoyed an extended opportunity to prove himself worthy of the huge sum spent to bring him to the Bernabeu. 

Despite that, however, the Basque midfielder doesn't seem to have the trust of Carlo Ancelotti, who continues to use Illarramendi sparingly—even during busy stretches when rotation has appeared necessary. 

And with Lucas Silva now in the Spanish capital and the possibility of Casemiro returning, it would seem logical for Real Madrid to sell the 24-year-old while his value remains relatively high with the memory of his superb final season with Real Sociedad still fresh. 

According to Marca, Athletic Bilbao were prepared to spend up to €25 million to sign Illarramendi in January. If a similar offer was to come in from a Spanish or European rival this summer, it would make sense for Real Madrid to cash in while they can.

Transfer In: Paul Pogba

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Earlier this month, Bleacher Report Spanish football expert Guillem Balague stated that Juventus' Paul Pogba is Real Madrid's No. 1 target in the approaching transfer window. 

One of the finest young players in the game, Balague outlined his belief that Los Blancos and Florentino Perez would be prepared to spend €80 million to bring the Frenchman to the Bernabeu. 

And according to Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail, the player's agent told Telefoot that the Juventus star could be open to a move in the coming summer. 

If it were to happen, such a deal would represent a perfect signing for Real Madrid. With a midfield often consisting of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco and James Rodriguez, the European champions currently lack a central presence of Pogba's qualities—a combination of physicality, power and an outstanding technical ability—and would instantly have greater depth and versatility if the 21-year-old were to arrive in the Spanish capital. 

Recently, both manager Carlo Ancelotti and B-team coach Zinedine Zidane played down Real's interest in the France international, but the club's recent record when chasing the game's brightest talents in the transfer market suggests this deal is a distinct possibility. 

Transfer Out: Sami Khedira

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Game time is already proving difficult to come by for Sami Khedira at Real Madrid this season—a situation that would only worsen if Paul Pogba were to arrive at the Bernabeu. 

Again, injury problems have been cruel to the German in the current campaign, interrupting his season on several occasions. And when given a rare chance—he's made just five starts in all competitions this season—the 27-year-old has struggled to form a cohesive partnership with Toni Kroos and was substituted at half-time of the 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Atletico Madrid. 

To kick his club career back into life, a change of scenery looks necessary for a player who was a key figure in Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid but is an awkward fit in the system employed by Carlo Ancelotti. 

Additionally, the mid-season arrival of Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro has also indicated Los Blancos are looking in a new direction in central/holding midfield, meaning a move away from the Bernabeu would likely represent the best outcome for all parties.