Rafa Alkorta says Real Madrid’s planned recruitment drive represents the major rebuild the club needed, but believes the arrival of several high-profile players will inevitably force some members of the current squad to leave.
The former Real Madrid player was speaking on SER radio’s El Larguero programme about the club’s transfer activity. His comments were published by Mundo Deportivo after he expressed strong approval of the signings being pursued by the Spanish giants.
“For me, the signings have been successful. It was necessary to rebuild the team and there was no other option,” Alkorta said.
He singled out Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella as the best piece of business among the reported additions.
“For me, the signing of Marc Cucurella is the best of all, the best of the signings. Then there are the others, such as Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and perhaps Yan Diomande as well,” he added.
Alkorta said the changes should not be interpreted as an admission that Real Madrid made mistakes with last season’s recruitment. Instead, he believes the club has recognised that the squad requires something more, particularly in terms of experience.
“I am not saying they made mistakes last season, because the players they signed were of a high level, but they realised they needed something extra, especially in terms of experience,” he said.
Real Madrid are also linked with a possible move for Rodri, while Alkorta believes the arrival of Diomande would further strengthen the team.
“Konate has a very high level, and if Diomande arrives it would be fantastic. If Rodri arrives as well, that would also be fantastic,” Alkorta said.
However, he warned that adding more established players would create a difficult situation for those already at the club. The former Real Madrid star stressed that leaving the Bernabeu is never straightforward, given the status and attraction of the club, but said departures would be unavoidable.
“But the issue is that some players have to leave, and leaving Real Madrid is not easy, because everyone knows it is a great club. We will see what happens, but there will be players forced to leave; they have no choice,” he said.
Alkorta also praised the quality of the players Real Madrid are now looking to bring in, suggesting they could make an immediate contribution. That would represent a different approach from last season, when the club recruited younger prospects including Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras.
His comments underline the scale of the changes expected at Real Madrid, with the club seeking a balance between developing emerging talent and adding experience capable of improving the side straight away. While Alkorta welcomed the potential arrivals of Konate, Dumfries, Diomande, Cucurella and Rodri, he acknowledged that their presence could leave several current players facing uncertain futures.
For Alkorta, the rebuilding process is therefore not simply about strengthening the squad. It also involves making difficult decisions over who remains at Real Madrid and who must depart as the club reshapes its team for the next season.
