Real Madrid have begun a significant overhaul of their squad following the appointment of Jose Mourinho and the re-election of Florentino Perez as president. The club has been notably active in the transfer market, bringing in Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan for a reported £17.1m, alongside free transfers for Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool and Bernardo Silva, formerly of Manchester City.
Dumfries, a 30-year-old right-back, joins Madrid after five seasons in Italy, having activated a release clause in his Inter contract. He has signed a four-year deal and is expected to compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold for playing time. The addition of Konate, 27, provides further reinforcement to the defensive line, with the Frenchman agreeing to a four-year contract after his departure from Liverpool. Madrid’s pursuit of Konate had been uncertain at times, but they ultimately secured his signature.
Bernardo Silva, 31, arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City. While approaching the later stages of his career, Silva is anticipated to provide valuable experience and quality to Madrid’s midfield. He has signed a two-year contract, marking his first foray into La Liga football. Completing the quartet of incomings is Marc Cucurella, who joins from Chelsea for a fee of £51.8m, signing a six-year contract. The left-back returns to the Spanish capital having previously played for Getafe.
Alongside the new arrivals, Madrid have also confirmed several departures. Dani Ceballos has been released after nine years at the club, expressing his desire for a “new challenge” after making 215 appearances. Veteran right-back Dani Carvajal has also departed after more than a decade of service, winning six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles. The signing of Dumfries last summer indicated a shift in plans for the right-back position, leading to Carvajal’s release. David Alaba’s five-year spell has also ended, with the defender released due to injury concerns, having made 132 appearances for the club.
Reports suggest Madrid’s business is not yet complete, with continued interest in players like Michael Olise, though a deal with Bayern Munich would prove challenging. Potential departures include Gonzalo Garcia, with Endrick returning from his loan spell at Lyon, and Franco Mastantuono being made available for loan. However, Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to remain with the club.
