Real Madrid spends 200 million euros but still lacks a conductor

Real Madrid have been shopping in the summer of 2025, but that is still not enough.

Under new coach Xabi Alonso, the Spanish Royal team is gradually forming a new project - youthful, modern and deep. However, despite the budget "exploding" jubilantly, Real still lacks one important thing: a true conductor in midfield - the piece that can turn this talented group into a real winning machine.

Four new signings, a new coaching staff and more than 200 million euros

Real Madrid's transfer window began with a number of notable signings. Dean Huijsen (€59m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (€10m), Franco Mastantuono (€63.2m) and Alvaro Carreras (€50m) - four signings that clearly reflect the new philosophy: young, promising and with long-term development. In total, the transfer fee alone amounted to €182.2m.

Not stopping there, the club also spent another 21 million euros on changes to the upper echelons: 11 million euros to compensate Carlo Ancelotti and 10 million euros to release Xabi Alonso from his contract with Bayer Leverkusen. Thus, the total investment amounted to 202.2 million euros - a figure that is enough to prove the determination to build a new version of the "Galaxy".

Although the squad is almost final, there is one thing that still makes Madrid uneasy: they do not have a real leader in the midfield. In the matches at the Club World Cup, the trio of Tchouaméni - Valverde - Arda Güler played a good role. But good role is not enough. Xabi Alonso needs a player with the quality to control the game, regulate the tempo, create space - in short, someone who can do for Real Madrid what Xabi himself did on the pitch.

Real Madrid are keen on Rodri in midfield.

The problem is: that name has not appeared on the transfer market. Targets such as Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister or Sandro Tonali are all out of reach. Options such as Angelo Stiller or Nicolo Barella have not really convinced President Florentino Perez - who frankly stated: "If we have to spend nearly 100 million euros, it must be another Rodri".

But Rodri is a “treasure” of Man City, with a contract until 2027, and shows no signs of leaving Etihad. The deadlock is there. Xabi wants it, but Perez is wary. And between those two extremes, Real is teetering on the most important line.

Revenue is not enough to cover expenses, but still under control

On the other hand, Real also had significant revenues. The Club World Cup alone brought in €74.6 million - a significant figure in a context where UEFA or La Liga are never so generous. Add to that two small deals: Víctor Muñoz to Osasuna (€5 million) and Obrador to Benfica (€5 million), bringing the total to €84.6 million.

Although this figure is less than half of the expenditure, it also helps Real balance its finances in the early stages of the new project.

Real Madrid have signed Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer transfer window of 2025.

Real Madrid have the foundations: quality young players, a promising coach, and a clear plan. But to go far, they still need a true “Galactico” player in midfield - someone who can tie it all together.

Florentino Perez is right not to spend big on an unproven player, but elite football is sometimes not measured by financial logic alone. In an era where a good midfielder can decide a season, waiting is sometimes the ultimate luxury.

Real Madrid are facing a crossroads: complete the final piece of the puzzle, or accept entering the season with a strategic gap - a gap that no Carreras, Mastantuono or Alexander-Arnold can fill.

Source: https://znews.vn/real-madrid-chi-200-trieu-euro-van-thieu-nhac-truong-post1569258.html