Real Madrid will rebuild during the 2008/09 off-season with two goals in mind: a third straight league title and a full-fledged assault on the Champions League. The first transfer of the summer was that of Antonio Cassano, who was followed by Javier Balboa, Pablo García, Esteban Granero, and Roberto Soldado.

The first to abandon the Spanish capital was Antonio Cassano. The Italian forward who joined Real Madrid in 2005/06  was transfered to Sampdoria. Javier Balboa and Pablo García exited shortly thereafter; the former who joined Quique Sánchez Flores at Benfica. The last two players to depart Real Madrid were Esteban Granero and Roberto Soldado, both of whom have joined Getafe CF.