Jude Bellingham signs for Real Madrid – Counting down Los Blancos' most expensive transfer signings
Madrid continue to splash the cash
Money is no object for Real Madrid and over the years, Los Blancos have shelled out large sums of money on the world's top players. Real Madrid have already signed midfielder Jude Bellingham this offseason, making him one of their most expensive player signings. But where does Bellingham rank on Real Madrid’s most expensive transfer signings list? Here is a look at Los Blancos’ most expensive transfer signings.
6. Zinedine Zidane - €77.5m (from Juventus, 2001)
Despite Real Madrid making several high-profile transfer signings over the last 20 years, Zinedine Zidane remains the club's sixth most expensive signing of all time. Zidane joined Real Madrid in 2001 in a €77.5 million deal from Italian giants, Juventus. At the time, it was a world record fee. Unfortunately for Zidane, Real Madrid's focus on signing Galacticos didn't lead to success on the pitch. Zidane played 230 times for Madrid, scoring 49 goals. Real Madrid won one La Liga trophy, one Champions League, Two Supercopa de Espana, one UEFA Super Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup. Zidane's real success with Madrid came when he returned as manager in 2016.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo - €94m (from Manchester United, 2010)
Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2010 for €94m from Manchester United. Many fans claim Ronaldo is the greatest player to ever were the famous white shirt of Real Madrid. He is the club's all-time leading goal scorer with 450 goals in 438 matches. Ronaldo won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, four Champions League trophies, and three FIFA Club World Cups.
4. Aurelien Tchouameni - €100m (from Monaco, 2022)
In the summer of 2022, Real Madrid made midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni their fourth most expensive transfer signing of all time. After winning the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool, Real Madrid continued their mission of getting younger. Tchouameni joined Los Blancos at just 22 years old for €100m. Madrid paid €80m of the fee upfront, while a further €20 million will be paid in add-ons. The defensive midfielder made 94 appearances for Monaco, scoring eight goals and assisting seven before departing for Spain.
3. Jude Bellingham - €100m (from Borussia Dortmund, 2023)
Jude Bellingham is the latest big-money transfer signing for Madrid. The Englishman joined Los Blancos in June 2023 for “a fee in excess of €100m. The exact fee has not been divulged by either Madrid or Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham was highly sought-after by multiple clubs but due to Borussia Dortmund’s asking price. In a need to get younger players and move out older ones, Madrid met Dortmund’s asking price. Bellingham had a fantastic 2022-23 season for Borussia Dortmund, solidifying himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. Although he wasn’t able to play the final day of the season and help Dortmund win the Bundesliga title due to an injury, he was still named the Bundesliga Player of the Season.
2. Gareth Bale - €101m (from Tottenham, 2014)
Gareth Bale was on top of the world after the 2018 Champions League final. He was the hero of Madrid, but it went south very quickly for the Welshman in the Spanish capital. Signed in 2014 from Tottenham for €101m, former Real Madrid doctor Jesus Olmo raved that Bale was a better athlete than teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Bale won five Champions League trophies as a Madrid player, including lifting the 2022 European Cup despite playing a mere seven minutes in the competition. History will remember Bale for his brilliant record at Madrid rather than his awkward ending. In total, Bale played 258 games for Real Madrid, scoring 106 goals and assisting 67.
1. Eden Hazard - €115m (from Chelsea, 2019)
Real Madrid's No. 1 most expensive transfer signing of all time is Eden Hazard. Signed for €115m from Chelsea in 2019, Hazard's time at Real Madrid was not a success. Sure, he has won trophies as a member of the team, but injuries limited the forward's minutes on the pitch. In four seasons at Madrid, Hazard played just 76 matches, scored seven goals, and assisted 12 goals. Hazard was certainly a transfer bust. In June 2022, Madrid and Hazard terminated his contract, making him a free agent.