MADRID (AP) — While Barcelona was working to keep Lionel Messi, defending champion Real Madrid was quietly making moves to get ready for the Spanish league season.
With the transfer of James Rodríguez to Everton made official on Monday, Madrid reportedly reached nearly 90 million euros ($106 million) in profits through a busy period in which it reorganized its squad.
The club loaned and sold several players who coach Zinedine Zidane was not planning to use this season, with the only major question mark remaining over whether Gareth Bale will stay for yet another season.