Diomande, Bellingham and Real Madrid's 25 most expensive transfers of all time

Real Madrid's 25 most expensive transfers of all time - Diomande, Bellingham and more Make us your Google favourite Real Madrid 's status as a footballing superpower is indisputable, something they underscored in the summer of 2024 by winning a record-extending 15th Champions League. As one of the biggest clubs in world football, Los Blancos have completed some extraordinary transfers over the years and they have broken several major records along the way. Below, we run through the 25 most expensive Real Madrid signings in history . 25. Nicolas Anelka - €35m (from Arsenal, 1999) Nicolas Anelka was Arsenal's top goalscorer in the 1998-99 season but his relationship with the club's fans turned sour and his demeanour eventually led to the infamous 'Le Sulk' nickname before his move to Los Blancos. Although he started the Champions League final in 2000, which Real Madrid won, he only scored two league goals in his only season at the Bernabeu and he was eventually sold to his boyhood club, PSG. 24. Arjen Robben - €35m (from Chelsea, 2007) After a trophy-filled spell at Chelsea, Madrid signed Arjen Robben in the summer of 2007. He was unfairly dubbed as underwhelming by some with Madrid, but the fact is he was a key player and was ultimately forced out of the club. When Florentino Perez retook the reigns as president as 2009 he went on a remarkable spending spree which included the acquisitions of attackers Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. With his spot threatened, Robben signed for Bayern Munich. 23. David Beckham - €37.5m (from Man Utd, 2003) In 2003, David Beckham became the latest Galactico at Madrid, joining the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo. Everyone knows that Golden Balls was signed due to his marketability as he barely fit inside the structure of the team, often being fielded in central midfield, but that does do a disservice to his ability as he became a fan favourite and helped Madrid to a La Liga title. 22. Mateo Kovacic - €38m (from Inter, 2015) Inter were forced to sell Mateo Kovacic due to Financial Fair Play regulations and Madrid took advantage to sign the Croatian midfielder. He was reliable enough under Rafa Benitez, often being deployed in various different positions, but when Zidane took over, he favoured Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro in midfield. Kovacic was eventually sold to Chelsea. 21. Vinicius Junior - €45m (from Flamengo, 2018) There was a time at Real Madrid when Vinicius Junior was considered to be a joke. At half-time during at Champions League match against Gladbach, team-mate Karim Benzema was heard saying to Ferland Mendy, with regards to Vini: “Brother don’t play to him. On my mother’s life. He is playing against us." Fair play to the Brazilian, as he fought back from that adversity to become Real Madrid's most important attackers for a few seasons. He has recently signed a new contract to the club, committing his long-term future to the Bernabeu side despite losing his status as the face of the club to Kylian Mbappe. 20. Rodrygo - €45m (from Santos, 2019) Unfortunately for Rodrygo, despite his exploits, it always seems like he is playing second-fiddle to someone. The winger would eventually become a key player for Real Madrid but he is usually in the shadow of players like Vini Jr, Mbappe or Jude Bellingham . With youngsters Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono taking playing time now also, it is becoming more and more likely he'll leave. 19. Ronaldo - €45m (from Inter, 2002) Ronaldo won the 2002 World Player of the Year award while at Real Madrid, but it isn't outrageous to say that R9 was perhaps past his best when he signed for the club. The mesmeric dribbling and ludicrous speed that he displayed previously at Barca and Inter had been toned down a bit by a succession of serious knee injuries. That said, he still scored 83 goals in 127 league appearances with Los Blancos and he helped them to a La Liga title in 2003. 18. Franco Mastantuono - €45m (from River, 2025) With the attacking talent that Los Blancos have Mastantuono has struggled to make an impression in his first year at the club. There are ongoing fears over his lack of playing time, with the Argentine tipped for a loan move in the summer of 2026 that did not come. 17. Endrick - €47.5m (from Palmeiras, 2024) Endrick began to receive some playing time under Carlo Ancelotti in the second half of the 2024/25 season but he was awarded almost zero opportunities to impress by Xabi Alo