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Yan Diomandé has become Real Madrid's fifth summer acquisition, completing a massive move from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to €140 million ($161.7 million).
Ultimately, Florentino Pérez was never going to allow this transfer window to pass without securing one high-profile, Galáctico-style marquee signing.
During his re-election campaign ahead of the summer, his team erected enormous banners across the city highlighting the landmark transfers of his tenure alongside the phrase "to be continued." In an interview on Spanish television program Horizonte, Pérez pledged to spend "around €150 million" on an attacking player, stating: "It's a signing designed to create excitement because that's what it's all about, generating excitement."
Following a bid for Julián Alvarez that appeared to be little more than a tactical provocation and some speculation surrounding Michael Olise, Pérez and Madrid have settled on 19-year-old prodigy Diomandé as this summer's headline target.
The nine-figure acquisition of one of football's most sought-after young talents, who had drawn interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and others, will stand as the defining deal of the summer: Pérez's so-called "excitement generator." However, it shouldn't mark the conclusion of Real Madrid's transfer activity. There remains further squad-building work to complete.
Here are two additional deals Los Blancos must complete before the window shuts on September 1.
Center Back
Madrid have already bolstered their center back options with the free transfer of Ibrahima Konaté, but the Frenchman is unlikely to be the only defensive addition this summer.
Following a deeply underwhelming final season in the Premier League and being largely overlooked by France manager Didier Deschamps at the 2026 World Cup, there is little recent evidence to suggest Konaté is the immediate solution to Madrid's defensive vulnerabilities.
The Frenchman was an opportunistic signing after his contract extension discussions at Liverpool collapsed, rather than someone expected to walk straight into the starting lineup.
David Alaba's departure further depletes squad depth, while Éder Militão's persistent injury problems mean he can no longer be counted on consistently. Meanwhile, Raúl Asencio's time at the club appears to be drawing to a close.
That leaves Konaté, Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen as the club's primary three center back options. That is simply insufficient—both in terms of depth and quality—to compete across all competitions next season.
Another elite-level option is required, with Mourinho typically favoring experienced, physically imposing center backs who excel in aerial duels.
Players Linked: Nico Schlotterbeck, Alessandro Bastoni
Center Midfielder
A priority since mid-2024, Real Madrid are desperately short of a deep-lying midfield orchestrator in the mold of Toni Kroos.
In the high-stakes matches last season, Los Blancos repeatedly struggled to control proceedings, with Aurelién Tchouaméni serving as the club's only specialist senior holding midfielder.
Free signing Bernardo Silva provides additional midfield versatility—the former Manchester City star is capable of performing in multiple roles—but Madrid are still missing the player who can anchor the game as a pivot in Mourinho's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Dani Ceballos's departure creates space for a new addition, while uncertainty surrounding Thiago Pitarch's future further underscores the need for reinforcements.
Rodri has long been the obvious frontrunner for the role, though Pérez has been slow or hesitant to pursue the World Cup-winning captain and the deal is now in serious jeopardy amid competing interest from Barcelona. Failing to act this window risks condemning the club to another season of midfield deficiencies.