The LaLiga season hadn’t even finished when Real Madrid‘s summer transfer business began.
Madrid announced on June 3 that Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz and Eden Hazard would be leaving the club. A day later — hours before Madrid’s last game of the season against Athletic Club — Karim Benzema‘s name was added to that list. Then, 72 hours after the season’s end, Borussia Dortmund confirmed that midfielder Jude Bellingham would join Madrid for an initial €103 million fee.
Two days later, Madrid made official the return of left-back Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano, followed by Brahim Diaz heading back after a three-year loan at AC Milan. On Monday, the club made it clear where the team’s future lies, handing Vinicius Junior the No. 7 shirt, and Rodrygo Goes the No. 11.
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If that wasn’t enough, the reports that Kylian Mbappe does not intend to extend his Paris Saint-Germain contract beyond 2024 opened up the prospect of a move this summer, and another drawn-out transfer saga. Madrid are ready to bid, although the player says he will stay at PSG and leave on a free in 12 months.
Ahead of what will clearly be a pivotal transfer window for Real Madrid, here’s a closer look at what’s next for the club — arrivals and departures, the club’s plans and how much money they have to spend — as they look to build a new team capable of challenging once again for LaLiga and the Champions League.
It always going to be a summer of change at the Santiago Bernabeu, and not just because of the stadium’s ongoing renovations, which began four years ago, are finally nearing completion.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti and his staff are staying — even if the Brazilian federation still haven’t entirely given up on recruiting him as their new national team coach. But the team’s on-field transition, which kicked off when Cristiano Ronaldo left in 2018 — and sped up with the exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in 2021 and Marcelo and Casemiro in 2022 — will step up a gear.
The departures of the inconsistent Asensio, the unwanted Mariano and the anonymous Hazard will be a net positive. Their absences will free up around €40m on the wage bill to go toward new signings. Hazard, who started just two league games last season, was the team’s top earner.
