Real Madrid have completed 24 transfer moves during one of their busiest summer windows in recent years, but the club’s extensive recruitment, renewals, sales and loans have not answered the question that has followed them since Toni Kroos retired.
According to a report by Marca, the latest developments were the signing of Yan Diomande, the renewal of Vinicius Junior’s contract and Franco Mastantuono’s loan move to Fiorentina. The number of changes is expected to rise above 25 before the transfer window closes.
The midfield issue appeared to have a straightforward solution in Rodri, but the deal collapsed at the final stage after the Manchester City player opted to join Barcelona. Real Madrid subsequently directed a major investment towards 19-year-old Diomande, leaving the club to consider whether its existing midfield options can provide the control it has been missing.
A summer of major change
Real Madrid began reshaping the squad early in the summer. Dani Carvajal was the first notable departure after the club decided not to renew his contract. He confirmed his exit on 18 May and said goodbye to supporters on 23 May following the match against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On 22 May, the club announced that David Alaba’s five-year spell at Real Madrid had come to an end.
Alvaro Arbeloa left his role on 9 June, ending his time with the first team after only about five months. Two days later, Real Madrid appointed Jose Mourinho as head coach, four days after Florentino Perez had been re-elected as club president.
Real Madrid brought Marc Cucurella in from Chelsea for €55m on 15 June. The following day, the club announced a one-year contract extension for Germany defender Antonio Rudiger.
Bernardo Silva joined on a two-year deal on 17 June, while France defender Ibrahima Konate arrived the next day on a free transfer after his contract with Liverpool expired.
Dani Ceballos agreed to terminate the remainder of his contract on 26 June, allowing the midfielder to leave without a fee.
The club then signed Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan for €20m on 5 July. On 31 July, Levante striker Carlos Espi joined on a contract running until 2031 in a deal worth €25m.
The summer’s activity has also included substantial income from the sale of young players.
Getafe paid €3.5m for 50% of Mario Martin’s rights, making him one of the first academy-linked players to leave. The biggest sale was Nico Paz’s move to Como, which brought Real Madrid €60m, although the Spanish club retained a buy-back option for the 2027-28 season.
Liverpool paid Osasuna €40m for Victor Munoz, with Real Madrid receiving €20m from the transfer. Alvaro Rodriguez moved from Elche to Bournemouth for €25m, half of which €12.5m went to Real Madrid.
Fran Garcia joined Real Betis for €3m, with a further €1m available in add-ons. Mario Gila moved to Milan for €30m, of which Real Madrid received €15m.
Real Madrid sold 50% of Valdepenas’ rights to Fiorentina for €8m while keeping a buy-back option. Gonzalo joined Fulham for €40m, with the Spanish club retaining 30% of his rights, while Cesar Palacios also moved to the English side for €10m under the same arrangement.
Goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez left for Sevilla for about €3m plus add-ons, with the deal covering 50% of his rights.
Diomande becomes record signing
The club’s largest financial commitment went towards Diomande. His transfer fee is €125m, with a further €15m possible in bonuses, and he has signed a seven-season contract through to 2033.
Real Madrid also ended months of uncertainty surrounding Vinicius Junior by extending the Brazil forward’s contract until 2032.
Mastantuono is the latest player to leave, joining Fiorentina on loan until June 2027. His departure was confirmed on Friday evening, with 25 days remaining before the transfer window closes.
Real Madrid are now expected to focus on players who are outside Mourinho’s plans. Tiago Pitarch could reunite with Arbeloa at Fulham, while Raul Asencio’s position is also uncertain after he fell to fifth in the club’s defensive pecking order.
Eduardo Camavinga’s future remains unresolved. The player does not want to leave, but he does not appear to be among Mourinho’s first choices in midfield, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva currently ahead of him in the manager’s thinking.
There is also uncertainty over Endrick. The arrival of Carlos Espi could reduce the Brazil striker’s opportunities behind Kylian Mbappe, making a departure a possible option.
Despite activity across almost every area of the squad, Real Madrid have yet to settle the central question created by Kroos’ retirement. Rodri appeared to be the ideal answer, but his move to Barcelona has reopened the problem.
With the new season approaching, Mourinho must either rely on the players already at the club or wait for another move before the market closes.
