Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s summer plan hits its stride — and the club still has room for one last big move

Sales of academy players funded the arrival of Mou, Cucurella and Dumfries... and €42.5M remain. Diomande may not be the only newcomer.

Sales of academy players funded the arrival of Mou, Cucurella and Dumfries... and €42.5M remain. Diomande may not be the only newcomer.
FILIP SINGER

Real Madrid is closing out July with most of its summer business already wrapped up. Financially, the club is coming off a record‑breaking month thanks to academy sales, and on the sporting side, five new additions: José Mourinho, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, and Konaté — have checked off every box in the front office’s strategic plan. And they’ve done it with a budget surplus, giving the club the flexibility to make one more push if it chooses.

A summer in the green — and room for a final splash

Setting aside the Diomande operation — a top strategic target — Mourinho isn’t pressuring the club for more signings. But Madrid’s strong financial position means they could go beyond Diomande and add another piece if the right opportunity appears.

Sales from La Fábrica have brought in $139 million, balancing out the $92 million spent on Cucurella ($54M), Dumfries ($22M), and Mourinho’s release clause ($16M). There’s even money left over.

One of the most intriguing developments comes from Paris: PSG believes that signing Rodri would make their team even harder to beat, adding fuel to the European arms race.

Madrid stays disciplined as Premier League spending explodes

Real Madrid continues to show restraint in the market, refusing to get dragged into the Premier League’s runaway spending. Chelsea’s recent $150 million deal for Morgan Rogers is a prime example of the inflation Madrid wants no part of.

Last season, the club did invest heavily in future talent — $186 million on Mastantuono, Huijsen, and Carreras — but this summer has been defined by surgical moves: Dumfries at a reduced fee, and elite free transfers like Bernardo Silva and Konaté. Even Cucurella was signed before his World Cup breakout boosted his value.

Real Madrid’s summer plan hits its stride — and the club still has room for one last big move
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Marc Cucurella of Spain kisses the winner's trophy in celebration for the team's victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)Eurasia Sport Images

But Madrid may not stop there. The central matter remains lurking. Bastoni becomes the main defensive target.

With Schlotterbeck off the table, Alessandro Bastoni is now the name to watch. His camp remains optimistic, and reports from Italy suggest Inter would listen to an offer around $76 million. If Madrid moves for him, it would trigger the departure of Asencio, opening another revenue stream.

Inside the club, there’s also a belief that La Fábrica hasn’t produced its final sale of the summer. Players like César Palacios and Manuel Ángel could still bring in additional funds.

Rodri? Not for Madrid

Despite PSG’s push, Rodri is not on Real Madrid’s radar. His profile doesn’t fit Mourinho’s preferred style. And while Madrid isn’t overflowing with midfielders, the club doesn’t see the position as an urgent need.

One midfielder left (Ceballos) and one arrived (Bernardo Silva), leaving six players in the rotation: Bernardo, Bellingham, Tchouaméni, Valverde, Camavinga, and Güler. A seventh could come from within — promoting Thiago Pitarch, fresh off winning the U‑19 European Championship — but Mourinho hasn’t evaluated him yet due to the player’s vacation.

Countdown to La Liga kickoff

Real Madrid opens the league on August 22 at RCDE Stadium against Espanyol. Between now and then, the club has four more preseason tests and must gradually integrate its World Cup players as they return from vacation.

The front office has financial room to complete the Diomande deal — and maybe even one more surprise.

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