In recent years, Real Madrid have adopted a transfer strategy wherein significant investments are made in younger players. Seasoned campaigners, more often than not, are often signed for free or for a...
In recent years, Real Madrid have adopted a transfer strategy wherein significant investments are made in younger players. Seasoned campaigners, more often than not, are often signed for free or for a smaller sum.
The strategy has worked wonders for Los Blancos, leading to great success on the field for the team. Even so, heading into the summer of 2026, there have been doubts about following a similar path, given that the team is going through a transition period.
No change in plans
But, according to AS, Real Madrid will not change anything and stick to their trusted transfer strategy once again in the new year.
One has to go back six and a half years to find a signing by Real Madrid of a footballer over the age of 25, already established as a star, and for a significant transfer fee.
Players such as Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold have arrived, but all of them did so as free agents or, in the case of the Englishman, for a small fee paid to Liverpool to bring his arrival forward in time for the Club World Cup.
Kees Smit is on Real Madrid’s radar for the summer. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The arrival of Joselu in the summer of 2023 should also be noted, but the operation cost only €2 million and proved to be highly profitable.
Season after season since the summer of 2019, when Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, and Luka Jovic arrived, major operations have been assessed with the idea of having a decade ahead to shape the first-team squad and to amortise transfer costs over time without difficulty.
The signing of a fully developed footballer has been left behind. Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler, Endrick, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras are all footballers who fit this profile.
Kees Smit for 2026
And, the strategy of incorporating young talent remains in place with an eye on the summer 2026 transfer window.
In that regard, Kees Smit, the midfielder from AZ Alkmaar, fits the strategy perfectly and has been identified as a target for next season.
He will turn 20 this year and has his entire footballing career ahead of him, and any operation would be far removed from the nine-figure fees of signings such as Vitinha of PSG.
The club believes that stability at all levels depends on signing young footballers who can wear the Real Madrid shirt for a decade.
Category: General Sports
