Jude Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020.
The transfer of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid is consistent with the club’s transfer philosophy of procuring promising future stars over current established names.
A look at the club’s recent transfer history provides insight into this shifting strategy.
Once known as ‘Los Galacticos’, Real Madrid had a reputation for assembling a team comprising the most sought-after superstars, satisfying their trophy-craving fans with an unmatched level of glitz and glamour.
This approach was initiated in 2000 by then-newly appointed president Florentino Perez. His ambitious plan started with the audacious signing of Luis Figo from their arch-rivals Barcelona, quickly followed by the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Robinho.
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A second wave of high-value signings occurred when Perez resumed presidency in 2009, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Gareth Bale, and James Rodriguez joining Real, solidifying the club’s image as the ultimate dream for any superstar aspiring for greatness.
However, this trend took a turn. After years of pursuing big-name players, Real Madrid shifted their Galacticos policy, focusing more on recruiting the most talented young players in the world.
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This new approach, led by Perez, his longtime right-hand man Jose Angel Sanchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat, was necessitated by new economic realities. The once dominant force in the transfer market, Real, could no longer compete regularly with the seemingly limitless resources of the ‘petro dollar’ clubs. Hence, they sought an alternate pathway to success.
There have been a few exceptions to this policy, including the unsuccessful £100m deal for Eden Hazard in 2019 and the ongoing chase for Kylian Mbappe. Nevertheless, Real Madrid mainly stayed away from blockbuster deals, focusing more on identifying promising teenagers from South America.
The first substantial acquisition under this new policy was the €46m (£39m) signing of 16-year-old Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr in 2017, who formally joined the club upon turning 18. Vinicius Jr is now one of the most formidable attackers globally.
Vinicius netted the decisive goal in last year’s Champions League final, assisted by another teenager scouted from South America, Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde. Brazilian winger Rodrygo, a standout performer in the 2021-22 knockout stages, joined Real from Santos aged 18, demonstrating the success of this new approach.
They also employed this strategy closer to home, bolstering their aging midfield with France’s top young talents: 18-year-old Eduardo Camavinga, signed from Rennes for a reported €40m in 2021, and Aurelien Tchouameni, recruited a year later from Monaco for €80m.
Given this backdrop, it’s clear why Real Madrid pursued and secured Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder from Borussia Dortmund, for an initial €103 million (£88.5m). With the agreement finalized in May, Bellingham has now signed a six-year contract with Real.
The club’s demonstrated strategy of recruiting the most talented young players around the globe aligns perfectly with the signing of a 19-year-old who has nearly 200 senior appearances and 24 international caps.
The club’s commitment to developing young talents provides an appealing opportunity for emerging stars like Bellingham, eager to push their careers to the highest level.
Bellingham will undoubtedly have numerous opportunities to showcase his abilities at Real. The diminishing roles of Luka Modric, who will be 38 next season, and 33-year-old Toni Kroos, combined with the departure of Casemiro to Manchester United, offer Bellingham a prime opportunity.
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A midfield comprising Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde, and Dani Ceballos, who joined from Real Betis aged 20 in 2017, supplying firepower for Vinicius, Rodrygo, and potentially Mbappe, would be a testament to Real’s ‘sign them young’ philosophy.
The strategy doesn’t end there – Brazilian Endrick is set to join upon turning 18 in 2024.
However, success isn’t guaranteed. For every Vinicius, there’s a Luka Jovic, who after being bought for €60m in 2019, scored only three goals in 51 appearances. For every Valverde, there’s a Martin Odegaard or Take Kubo, who flourished elsewhere after limited exposure at Real.
Despite these risks, Bellingham’s transfer to Bernabeu is entirely in line with Real’s recent strategy and offers him an excellent opportunity to emerge as one of the world’s top players.
This story was first published on May 12.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Real Madrid’s transfer strategy
What is Real Madrid’s new transfer strategy?
Real Madrid’s new transfer strategy involves recruiting promising future stars over current established names, focusing especially on the most talented young players in the world, whether domestically or internationally.
Who is Jude Bellingham and from which club has he been transferred to Real Madrid?
Jude Bellingham is a highly talented English midfielder who has been transferred to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.
Who initiated Real Madrid’s former strategy of recruiting established superstars, and when?
The former strategy of recruiting established superstars, known as the ‘Los Galacticos’ policy, was initiated by president Florentino Perez in 2000.
Who were some of the high-profile players Real Madrid recruited under their former strategy?
Under their former strategy, Real Madrid recruited high-profile players like Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Gareth Bale, and James Rodriguez.
What is an example of a successful acquisition under Real Madrid’s new transfer strategy?
A successful acquisition under Real Madrid’s new strategy is the Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr, who was signed as a 16-year-old and is now one of the most formidable attackers globally.
Why is Jude Bellingham’s transfer considered a sensible move for Real Madrid?
Jude Bellingham’s transfer is considered sensible as it aligns with Real Madrid’s current strategy of procuring promising young talents. Bellingham, at just 19, has nearly 200 senior appearances and 24 international caps, making him an ideal fit.
