Real Madrid have mastered the art of excelling in transfer windows. Xabi Alonso has taken over the helm at Santiago Bernabeu following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, and Real Madrid have tried to provide the tactician with all the necessary firepower.
The change in management meant that some players had to pave the way for the arrival of the new players under Alonso’s setup. Real Madrid are an extremely demanding club, with the fans expecting nothing but the best from their team.
The club’s decision to part ways with Luka Modric shocked a few football pundits. However, this seemed like another day in the office at the Bernabeu, recalling exits of club superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, Raul, and Fernando Hierro, to name a few. In just two seasons, the Whites are dealing with the absence of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, two mainstays in Real Madrid’s midfield in the glorious past decade.
At Essential Football, we have put together and analysed how the Whites fared in the transfer market. Following a bad outing in the Club World Cup, Real Madrid are determined to win the La Liga and UEFA Champions League this season.
Real Madrid arrivals
Real Madrid have evolved and prepared itself for the future with strategic acquisitions in the past few seasons. The addition of players like Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe over the years greatly contributed to the club’s success. Real Madrid have treated the market carefully and handpicked the finest talents to plug holes in their squad from last season.
Real Madrid’s summer endeavour in the transfer market visibly highlights the club’s focus on improving in the defensive sphere. Dean Huijsen joined the Whites after producing stellar performances in the heart of Bournemouth’s defence. Xabi Alonso & Co. splashed £50 million for the services of the Spanish defender. Álvaro Carreras was signed from Benfica for £43 million and will provide competition to Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia in the squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also completed his dream move to the Santiago Bernabeu, costing Los Blancos £8.3 million. The right-back was initially joining the Madrid-based team on a free transfer, but Real Madrid had to pay Liverpool the nominal amount in order to relieve him of his Liverpool contract ahead of the Club World Cup. Franco Mastantuono was another addition to Real Madrid’s team and will provide Xabi with some extra firepower at the top.
Player Name Previous Team Fee
Dean Huijsen Bournemouth £50m
Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool £8.3m
Álvaro Carreras Benfica £43m
Franco Mastantuono River Plate £38.5m
Raúl Asencio Real Madrid Castilla Promotion
Gonzalo García Real Madrid Castilla Promotion
Real Madrid departures
Real Madrid were rational in their decision to let Luka Modric leave, with age not being Modric’s best friend. Lucas Vasquez, who had evolved as a utility player in the team over the years, was also allowed to leave the club.
The winger/right-back has now joined Bayer Leverkusen. Jesus Vallego and Jacobo Ramon have also moved on to new projects at Albacete and Como, respectively. Mario Martin has earned himself a loan spell at local rivals, Getafe. Arsenal were strongly linked with signing Rodrygo as were Spurs and other PL clubs but the Brazilian chose to stay and fight for his place in Madrid.
Player Name Team Fee
Luka Modrić AC Milan Free Transfer
Lucas Vázquez Bayer Leverkusen Free Transfer
Jesús Vallejo Albacete Free Transfer
Jacobo Ramón Como 1907 £2.2m
Mario Martín Getafe Loan
Álvaro Rodríguez Elche Undisclosed Fee
Reinier Atlético Mineiro Undisclosed Fee
Chema Andrés VfB Stuttgart Undisclosed Fee
Pablo Ramón Espanyol Undisclosed Fee
Real Madrid looks ready to contend for the Champions League again after giving their squad a fresh makeover in the summer, and with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, the team are destined to achieve greatness. With a star-studded dressing room, in the end, it might all boil down to Alonso’s man-management skills in the Spanish capital.
Being a former Real Madrid player, Alonso is well aware of the demanding nature of his role. The club have started the season on a spotless note with three victories from the opening three matches.
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