Real Madrid signs older players to build immediate title contender

Real Madrid completed three signings this summer with an average age of 28 years and nine months, a sharp increase from the 21-year average of last year's incoming players. The moves followed a June 9 meeting at Madrid's Hotel Santo Mauro between the incoming coach, the club's director general, its chief scout, and an agent.

The incoming coach has taken a direct role in identifying targets and setting transfer priorities.

Shift in recruitment approach Last summer the club signed four players aged 18 to 26. This year it has added Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, and Ibrahima Konaté, with Denzel Dumfries expected to join soon. The club paid an initial €55 million for Cucurella, who had previously played for Chelsea.

Barcelona and Atlético Madrid had also shown interest earlier this year. Cucurella said the deal moved quickly after his representatives received a call that the clubs had already reached an agreement. He spoke with the incoming coach by phone and noted the coach recalled specific plays from a September 2025 match.

Background on prior transfer policy Previous coaches at the club had limited influence over incoming players. The incoming coach is now directing recruitment toward players who can contribute immediately rather than long-term development prospects. The club already had three left backs on its roster when it signed Cucurella.