With the transfer window now done and dusted, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the business conducted by Real Madrid this summer.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid were a dominant force in Spain as well as Europe last season. They finished the 2023/24 season by winning La Liga as well as the UEFA Champions League.
Having done some incredible transfer business last summer, Los Blancos already have a well-balanced squad. But they entered the summer market with hopes of signing their long-term target Kylian Mbappe.
The team in white had a dream season last time out as they managed to win both major competitions despite injuries to both their starting centre-backs as well as their first-choice goalkeeper. While they did tick all the boxes, the lack of depth at the back was highlighted, and Real Madrid fans were expecting the arrival of a young centre-back.
Real Madrid were not really expected to do much in the recently concluded transfer window, and that has turned out to be true. But, they have seen a few major changes to the squad because of a few key departures and a few major arrivals. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at their transfer business and delivers a verdict.
Ins and outs
Joselu might have been a backup striker last season, but he surely did wonders for Los Blancos. He has etched his name in Real Madrid’s history with his two goals against Bayern Munich late on in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
But, with major attacking arrivals expected, the 34-year-old was unlikely to have much game time, as a result, they ended up sanctioning his departure. Skipper Nacho Fernandez also decided to end his stint at the Spanish club and left on a free transfer to be a part of the Saudi Pro League.
The biggest setback to Real Madrid in this window was the retirement of Toni Kroos. The German superstar was one of their standout performers last season but he wanted to hang up his boots while he was still at the top of the game.
Outs: Rafa Marín, Juanmi Latasa, Joselu, Nacho Fernández, Reinier (loan), Álvaro Rodríguez, Toni Kroos (retired)
Real Madrid had already struck a deal with Palmeiras several months ago to sign Endrick. The Brazilian attacking sensation completed his move to Los Blancos towards the end of July and with his arrival, Real Madrid fans will feel they have successfully replaced Joselu.
While the Merengues were linked with Leny Yoro throughout the summer, Real Madrid lost out on the young French sensation as Manchester United acquired his services. The teenager was expected to be their long-term defensive investment, and he could have helped cope with Nacho’s departure. But things did not go according to plan.
Toni Kroos’s retirement is surely a huge blow for Los Blancos, but they are already well covered in the centre of the park. As a result, signing a midfielder was not really in their plans but his departure resulted in Real Madrid handing Luka Modric another one-year deal.
The biggest talking point was the arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer. After the Frenchman turned down the move to Real Madrid two years back, there were doubts about the deal going through. But, the Spanish giants have finally brought in their biggest transfer target. While they already have a star-studded attack, the French superstar is expected to help them take the next step.
Ins: Kylian Mbappe, Endrick
Marquee and Value for Money Signing
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe without a doubt is Real Madrid’s marquee signing. The 25-year-old is one of the best players in the world, and if a team manages to land him on a free transfer, he automatically becomes a value-for-money signing.
Irrespective of his high wages and the fact that Real Madrid might have paid a significant signing bonus, he still has to be the smartest piece of business they have done in a long while.
During his time at PSG, the French forward was involved in 308 matches. He scored 256 goals and even bagged 108 assists. Given how consistent he has been in recent years, Mbappe is expected to take the Real Madrid attack to another level.
While his arrival will cause a tactical shift, and Real Madrid might take time to adjust to a setup where Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Mbappe and Bellingham start together, eventually he could do wonders for them.
Inevitable Departure
Toni Kroos
Real Madrid fans were almost certain that they would lose one of Toni Kroos or Luka Modric after the end of the 2023/24 season. While the majority expected Modric to end his successful stint at Real Madrid, Kroos’s decision to retire from the game did catch everyone by surprise.
But, since he had already mentioned that he would want to end on a high, there were already speculations about his departure. Once he made the decision, it became certain that Modric would now be handed a new deal to ensure they have an experienced campaigner in their squad.
Given how important Kroos was in the Real Madrid setup, he will surely be missed but it was something that could not be avoided as the German playmaker wanted to call it a day while he was still at the top of his game.
The Big Miss
Leny Yoro
Real Madrid only have four out-and-out centre-back’s in their squad and following the departure of Nacho Fernandez, they do look a bit light in that part of the field. They were in the race for the services of 18-year-old Leny Yoro. But they have missed out on the youngster.
With his contract running out in 12 months, the team in white were not ready to table a massive offer for his services. The player did want to join the Spanish giants, but since the two clubs were not looking to reach a common ground, he had no other choice than to make a move elsewhere or wait on the sidelines for a year.
Yoro ended up joining Manchester United, and this could be Real Madrid’s biggest miss of the summer. With Antonio Rudiger already 31 and David Alaba 32, Los Blancos need to prepare for the long run and Yoro could have been just the perfect signing.
Even after missing out on the 18-year-old, they were not really looking for an alternative which did surprise quite a few people. But, perhaps they might have a plan for the long run.
Verdict (7/10)
No doubt Real Madrid have significantly bolstered their attack by adding Kylian Mbappe and Endrick to their squad. But, there was a lot they could have done apart from that.
A young centre-back would have been just the perfect signing for them with Nacho leaving, and they could have even brought in another midfielder this summer to help cope with Kroos’s retirement.
There was room for improvement in the full-back department as well. But, Real Madrid decided against making any other moves and it could cause problems for them this season if a few of their key players go on to pick up any injuries. Despite adding one of the best players in the world in Mbappe, The Hard Tackle feels Real Madrid had an average 7/10 transfer window.
