In calculated calm, and under close scrutiny of every move in the market, Real Madrid are preparing to enter the final stretch of the summer transfer window. Their stance looks closed from the outside, but inside it is marked by extreme caution.
The window enters its final and decisive week. The curtain officially falls on 1 September at 11:59pm, the deadline for clubs to conclude any new signings.
According to the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", Real Madrid consider their signings file closed in principle. The club's management and coach Jose Mourinho stress on every occasion that the squad is complete, and express their full satisfaction with the current line-up.
This summer, the club strengthened their ranks with six strong deals: Cucurella, Konate, Bernardo Silva, Diomande, Espai and Dumfries, plus the appointment of Mourinho himself as coach.
Despite this declared completeness, the reality in the offices at Valdebebas is more complex. The club consider the market closed, but not in a categorical and final manner. One door has been left deliberately ajar, and it will only open in one case: the departure of a current squad player.
Two names top the list of potential candidates for departure, Eduardo Camavinga and Raul Asencio. Yet neither player is showing any desire to leave, and the French star in particular is determined to stay.
The defender, on the other hand, remains available on the market. His agent Jorge Mendes is working to find him a new destination, though the injury he is currently suffering from greatly complicates his exit.
You can discuss topics and news in greater depth on the "Kooora" forums
For this reason, Real Madrid are living in a state of active anticipation. The management are monitoring the market closely, with particular focus on the central midfield and centre-back positions. They are braced for any sudden development in the situation of Camavinga and Asencio, or for a tempting and unexpected offer arriving for one of the players during the final hours of the window.