Real Madrid's 2025 Summer Signings: Rating Los Blancos' Transfer Masterclass

Real Madrid focused on acquiring promising young players this summer to begin a fresh chapter under Xabi Alonso's guidance.

Following a quiet January window, Real Madrid entered the transfer market after their disappointing 2024–25 season. The Spanish powerhouse brought in Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono and Álvaro Carreras during the summer, essentially reconstructing their weakened defense.

The organization also experienced a leadership transition. Alonso made his return to the Santiago Bernabéu to manage his former team while Carlo Ancelotti departed the Spanish capital as Real Madrid's most successful coach in history.

The fresh arrivals at the world's most prestigious club created a memorable transfer period for Los Blancos.

Top Acquisition: Dean Huijsen

While all new acquisitions adapted well at Real Madrid, Huijsen has emerged as the clear standout performer. The 20-year-old quickly established himself as the club's premier center-back, providing defensive solidity and innovation to a backline that allowed 83 goals the previous campaign.

Huijsen is not merely a dependable, intelligent defender with excellent positioning and outstanding work ethic, but he has also displayed flashes of Toni Kroos-like vision and passing precision. The Spain international can change the direction of play instantly, deliver a perfect long pass to a sprinting Kylian Mbappé or maintain possession while advancing forward, searching and testing for opportunities against compact defenses.

Certainly, there are areas where Huijsen must improve, particularly avoiding unnecessary fouls or tackles that earn him bookings. Nevertheless, having a player of his caliber and youth leading the defense is precisely what the team lacked last season.

Most Unexpected Move: Franco Mastantuono

Real Madrid's emphasis on strengthening their defense this summer was well-known. However, their pursuit of Mastantuono appeared to emerge from nowhere.

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City were frontrunners for the Argentine youngster, who is considered among the most promising talents in football. Then unexpectedly, Real Madrid entered negotiations and secured Mastantuono's commitment in just days.

Theoretically, Los Blancos didn't require another right winger or additional No. 10. However, the possibility of losing Mastantuono was unthinkable for the Spanish giants, prompting them to activate his €45 million ($52.5 million) release clause.

How the former River Plate sensation will integrate into Alonso's lineup once Jude Bellingham recovers from injury remains uncertain, but Mastantuono has already shown promise in his initial three appearances wearing white.

Marquee Addition: Trent Alexander-Arnold

There's no question about the highest-profile player Real Madrid acquired this summer. Alexander-Arnold departed his childhood club to begin a new career phase in Spain, completing a transfer that seemed destined to happen.

Alexander-Arnold's arrival provided Los Blancos with another world-class player and essential defensive reinforcement. After being compelled to use Lucas Vázquez and Fede Valverde at right-back last season, the England international's signing brought much-needed relief.

Beyond the significance of the acquisition itself, considering Alexander-Arnold's reputation and Liverpool legacy, the fullback impressed everyone when he delivered remarks in perfect Spanish during his Real Madrid unveiling. He subsequently claimed Dani Carvajal's position in Los Blancos' starting eleven.

Los Blancos now require Alexander-Arnold to make the ultimate statement by demonstrating he can perform under the increased expectations that come with wearing the Real Madrid jersey.

Most Significant Departure: Luka Modric

Following 13 seasons in white, Modrić departed the Spanish capital at the conclusion of the 2024–25 campaign. Despite the Croatian's desire to remain at Real Madrid, the club chose not to extend his contract as part of their renewed commitment to developing a youthful squad for the future.

Modrić, the most decorated player in club history, was honored with an emotional farewell at the Santiago Bernabéu and participated in the FIFA Club World Cup before joining Milan, leaving Los Blancos without their midfield anchor just one season after losing Kroos.

Final Assessment

Following the 2024–25 season, it was evident that Real Madrid needed to strengthen their defense this summer. Almost immediately when the first transfer window opened, the club had acquired Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold. Additionally, they secured an offensive addition in Mastantuono.

When the second window commenced, they finalized their defensive overhaul by signing Carreras. Los Blancos addressed all their major weaknesses by mid-July and could relax until Deadline Day.

However, the window was hampered by insufficient outgoing transfers. It would have been advantageous to release David Alaba and Dani Ceballos, but both players remained at Real Madrid despite their reduced roles under Alonso.

It also would have been ideal to finally secure midfield reinforcement after losing Kroos and Modrić in consecutive seasons, but the club wasn't impressed by available market options. Still, considering the players Real Madrid did acquire, it's difficult to classify the window as anything less than a tremendous success.

Grade: A-

Real Madrid Incoming Transfers: Summer 2025

Real Madrid Outgoing Transfers: Summer 2025