As the summer transfer window enters its final weeks, Real Madrid are not just focused on potential signings but also on the players who will be shown the exit door. The first victim of new manager Xabi Alonso’s reshaped vision for the squad appears to be left-back Fran García — a decision that has caught many by surprise within the club and among the fanbase.
Despite strong internal support, including vocal backing from midfield general Federico Valverde and first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, García has not managed to secure his place in Alonso’s plans. Both senior players reportedly tried to convince the manager to retain the full-back, insisting on his value both on and off the pitch. However, their efforts seem to have fallen short as the coaching staff remains firm in their technical assessment.
Alonso’s decision is not purely emotional or political — it’s a strategic call shaped by squad depth and tactical needs. The arrival of Álvaro Carreras, a highly rated young talent who can also play on the left side of defense, has created a logjam in the full-back position. With Ferland Mendy still part of the team and not easily sellable due to his injury history, Fran García has unfortunately become the most expendable option.
García’s involvement in every match of the recent FIFA Club World Cup seemed to suggest that he was gaining traction within the squad. Many had assumed he would play a pivotal backup role this coming season, especially as Real Madrid prepare for a demanding campaign across La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cups. But Alonso’s vision of tactical balance and dynamic width down the flanks has led to a reassessment of García’s long-term role.
Sources close to the club confirm that García, though a promising product of La Fábrica and once hailed as a future cornerstone of Madrid’s defense, has not shown the adaptability or attacking edge that Alonso demands from his full-backs. While he remains defensively solid, the modern expectations of overlapping runs, pinpoint crosses, and positional versatility have left García just short of the required standard.
Real Madrid’s board is reportedly in agreement with Alonso, though some sections of the fanbase have raised eyebrows at the decision. Nevertheless, García’s strong market value and European experience have made him a prime candidate for transfer. Unlike Mendy, whose injury-prone profile makes him harder to offload, García is fit, young, and attractive to several clubs.
Premier League and Serie A sides have already shown interest in the Spanish full-back. Clubs like Aston Villa, Napoli, and Fiorentina are believed to be monitoring the situation closely, with concrete offers expected in the coming days. Madrid have placed a €15 million price tag on the defender — a figure that reflects both his potential and current market conditions.
That asking price is seen as reasonable given García’s solid performances during his loan stint at Rayo Vallecano and his consistent form during Madrid’s pre-season and Club World Cup campaign. He’s not a superstar, but he is a reliable left-back who can easily fit into the plans of clubs seeking defensive stability and tactical discipline.
Alonso’s decision marks the beginning of a new era — one in which even academy graduates and fan favorites may be sacrificed in favor of a sharper, more aggressive squad build. Fran García may be the first to go, but he might not be the last. The message from Madrid’s dugout is clear: reputation or past affiliations won’t guarantee your place in the team.
As Real Madrid fine-tune their squad before the August 31 deadline, fans can expect more bold and perhaps controversial calls. With Alonso in charge, the club’s direction is tilting toward youthful dynamism, strategic depth, and uncompromising standards. García’s exit could just be the first sign of a larger overhaul in the Spanish capital.