Rating Every Real Madrid Summer Signing Under Jose Mourinho From Worst to Best

Following two trophy-less campaigns, Real Madrid wasted no time during the summer transfer window, spending heavily to bolster José Mourinho's squad ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Much like the previous summer, Los Blancos focused on strengthening their defensive options, securing World Cup-winning left back Marc Cucurella, right back Denzel Dumfries, and center back Ibrahima Konaté. They also added former Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer.

It was only after the World Cup concluded that Real Madrid shifted their focus to attacking reinforcements. The club made an unexpected move for 21-year-old striker Carlos Espí before sealing the record-shattering acquisition of 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande.

The six arrivals bring welcome upgrades to certain areas and added depth to others. However, not every move has been met with enthusiasm for the 15-time European champions.

6. Carlos Espí

Espí's move to Madrid came completely out of the blue. One minute the striker was eyeing a switch to the Premier League, and the next he had put pen to paper at Real Madrid for €25 million ($27 million).

The 21-year-old provides Mourinho with a natural No. 9 following Gonzalo García's exit. Espí enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Levante in 2025–26, netting 13 goals across 27 outings. His imposing frame makes him an ideal aerial threat at set pieces, and he has already demonstrated his eye for goal during preseason.

Compared to the club's other summer additions, Espí feels slightly underwhelming, particularly given that Los Blancos already boast Kylian Mbappé and Endrick in their attacking ranks. The Spaniard has little realistic chance of forcing his way into the starting XI, but that doesn't prevent him from becoming a valuable squad player for the Spanish giants.

Joselu provided him with the ideal template to follow.

5. Ibrahima Konaté

Had Real Madrid secured Konaté the previous summer, he would likely have ranked much higher on this list. Instead, the Frenchman saw out the final year of his Liverpool contract and endured a rather dismal season.

Former boss Arne Slot even publicly criticized Konaté for being "at the crime scene" too frequently in 2025–26, yet Los Blancos still moved to sign him on a free. His reputation took a further hit this summer when he managed just 14 minutes during France's run to the World Cup semifinals, unable to break into the side even when William Saliba was ruled out through injury.

Didier Deschamps eventually handed Konaté a start in Les Bleus' third-place clash against England, only for him to be substituted at halftime following a disastrous first 45 minutes in which the Three Lions netted four times.

The road to redemption remains open for the defender if he can impress in his first season at Real Madrid. Konaté could realistically earn a starting berth given that Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger, and Raúl Asencio are Mourinho's only fit center backs heading into 2026–27.

4. Denzel Dumfries

Real Madrid activated the £17 million ($22.7 million) release clause in Dumfries's Inter contract to lure the seasoned fullback to the Spanish capital. He arrived following Dani Carvajal's departure this summer.

Right back has been a persistent headache for Los Blancos in recent years. Injuries derailed both Carvajal and then Alexander-Arnold, repeatedly forcing Lucas Vázquez or Federico Valverde to fill in at the position. Opponents quickly learned that targeting the right flank was the most effective way to exploit the 15-time European champions.

Determined not to face another right back crisis, Real Madrid moved for Dumfries, a player with a relatively clean injury record who racked up 207 appearances across five seasons at Inter. The 30-year-old is dependable defensively and offers a markedly different profile to the attack-minded Alexander-Arnold.

While Dumfries is unlikely to displace the England international in the starting lineup, he provides valuable cover at the position and would be a capable option in Mourinho's XI should Alexander-Arnold once again suffer a lengthy injury absence.

3. Bernardo Silva

Before the transfer window swung open, landing a deep-lying playmaker was high on Real Madrid's agenda. The club explored moves for Rodri and Enzo Fernández to fill the void left by Toni Kroos in midfield, but have so far fallen short of signing a top-tier No. 6.

Instead, Los Blancos swooped for Bernardo Silva after his City contract ran out at the end of last season. The Portugal international is not the midfield addition supporters had been hoping for, nor does he represent a definitive fix to the team's issues in the engine room.

Nevertheless, Silva brings versatility, experience, and precise passing to a midfield that has been sorely lacking all three. The 32-year-old collected virtually every major honor available at the Etihad Stadium and now arrives at the Bernabéu with a winning mentality, where his voice and leadership could help ease the tensions between Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

Silva also injects much-needed tactical intelligence into a midfield group prone to sideways passing and slow decision-making under pressure.

2. Yan Diomande

Very few players in world football command a transfer fee of up to €140 million ($161.6 million). Indeed, no player in Real Madrid's history had ever carried such a price tag before Diomande arrived.

The Côte d'Ivoire international chose the Bernabéu as his home for the next seven years, turning down advances from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool. Diomande came in as a badly needed option on the right wing, with Franco Mastantuono subsequently heading out on loan to Fiorentina.

The teenager's explosive speed and dazzling dribbling are precisely what the team requires to finally provide genuine width in attack after two seasons of leaning heavily on the left side. With Diomande and Alexander-Arnold combining down the right flank, it is a partnership that could restore glory to the Spanish capital.

Naturally, Diomande must justify his enormous price tag, but he is undeniably the most thrilling signing of the summer, bursting with raw potential.

1. Marc Cucurella

Securing a freshly crowned world champion is always a statement signing, particularly when that player is a clear upgrade in a problem area. Step forward, Cucurella.

The fullback, who spent four seasons at Stamford Bridge, said goodbye to Chelsea to join Real Madrid in a reported $69.4 million (€60 million) deal. Cucurella then played a starring role in helping Spain lift the 2026 World Cup, featuring for every minute of La Roja's campaign across North America.

The 28-year-old, widely considered among the finest left backs on the planet, will walk straight into Mourinho's starting XI, bringing much-needed stability to a chronically inconsistent left flank. Ferland Mendy is rarely fit enough to hold down a starting spot, while Álvaro Carreras struggled considerably in his first season at the club.

Both will now step aside for Cucurella. The Spaniard, who came through Barcelona's La Masia academy, will surely be relishing the prospect of facing his compatriot Lamine Yamal when the season's first Clásico arrives.