Football News: Real Madrid Transfer Window Round Up

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Real Madrid are facing a difficult season ahead, with main rivals Barcelona strengthening, despite a signing embargo, and local rivals Atletico Madrid also looking stronger, Florentino Perez really needs them to get up and running quickly if he is to have any hope of retaining his presidency. Already his transfer choices of the summer had upset the fans, especially the loss of the popular goalkeeper Iker Casillas, which led to the shambles of the David de Gea non-transfer as the fans made it clear that they supported Keylor Navas. With the 'Navas' chants ringing round the stadium, Perez was put in a situation he had hoped to avoid.

A token attempt to sign the Manchester United keeper was never intended to do any more than keep de Gea 'on ice' for a free move next summer, when the fans had been given time to get over the loss of Casillas. Perez simply could not afford to upset the fans any more than he already had, especially with the Sergio Ramos contract talks turning sour earlier in the window and leading to more public recriminations. Without a 'Galactico' signing to appease the fans over the summer, Perez is going to need new head coach Rafa Benitez to get off to a flying start if he is to retain the presidency.

The choice of Rafa was another of the things that did not go down well with the Madrid fans, despite him being one of their own, as he is seen as too defensive for Madrid. Rafa will need his team to be flowing forward all guns blazing, ripping teams apart this season, if he is to have any hope of retaining the job for another season. His choice of going with Gareth Bale as his main man, with the responsibility of running the team, got him the job, but Bale will need to play like he is in a Wales shirt, rather than the lacklustre efforts he gave Madrid last season.

Bale central, not just in positioning, but in terms of his role, could either be a stroke of genius or a complete disaster. One thing is for sure, Rafa's future at the club depends on which it is.

The outs:

Asier Illaramendi, despite being linked with big clubs all around Europe, moved back to Real Sociedad for £10.5m. He was a massive disappointment in his time with Madrid, after joining them for in excess of £22m a couple of summers ago. Illaremendi was always a fringe player, at best, for Madrid, this was a good move for both club and player, giving him a chance to rebuild his reputation.

Sami Khedira left on a free transfer to sign for Juventus. The German international's time in Spain was blighted by injuries, but at 28 he is still young enough to get his career back on track. Whether he can avoid the injury problems he suffered in recent years is another matter. The ability he has is never in question, but it is pointless having that amount of ability sat on a treatment table every week.

Fernando Pacheco, the reserve keeper, has moved on to Alaves on a free transfer.

Iker Casillas has finally left to join Porto, despite winning his place back in the side last season. Casillas was a legend with the fans, despite all the issues off the pitch that he caused, leading player revolts against managers. Even though he was playing poorly, the fans were still upset that he went and unhappy with the way he was treated by Real Madrid. That wave of ill feeling, mostly aimed in the direction of Florentino Perez, coalesced into backing for Keylor Navas and an anti-de Gea vibe around the club. The fans, knowing that de Gea had told Madrid that he would not sign while Casillas was still there, turned on the Manchester United goalkeeper, even before the club made a bid to sign him.

Jesus Vallejo, the young defender, moved on loan to Real Zaragoza.

Lucas Silva, a young Brazilian midfielder, has gone to France to play in Ligue 1 for Olympique Marseille. Their young squad, despite the resignation of Marcelo Bielsa after their first match, should be a good place for him to develop as a player, as they are a club which is placing the emphasis on player development.

Fabio Coentrao has also headed to France, but he has joined AS Monaco on loan. The Portugese international will look to provide some attacking thrust down the left side of the pitch, following his unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Marcelo from the leftback berth in Madrid.

Marco Asensio has joined Espanyol on a loan deal.

And now the ins:

Mateo Kovacic was the big summer signing, though not the usual Galactico we have come to expect from Florentino Perez. The young Croatian midfield playmaker has arrived from Inter Milan for around £24.5m. At 21 he could end up being just another young talent moving to Madrid too early and having their career stifled. Considering how leggy both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos looked in the second half of last season, there is a good chance he will get regular football in the heart of the Madrid midfield.

Danilo has joined from FC Porto for over £22m to fill one of the major weak spots in the Madrid side, the right back berth. The Brazilian full back will be hoping to mirror the success of compatriot Marcelo on the other side of the pitch.

Kiko Casilla has joined in a £4.2m deal from Espanyol. Casilla is not a direct replacement for Casillas, though both are keepers, as the new boy is expected to be nothing more than a back up.

Jesus Vallejo, the 18 year old centre back, arrived with a £3.5m price tag from Real Zaragoza. He was immediately sent back there on loan for the season.

Marco Asensio joined for just under £2.5m from RCD Mallorca. Like Vallejo he was also sent straight out on loan, but to Espanyol, not his previous club.

Lucas Vazquez signed for £700k from Espanyol.

A very, unusually so in fact, quiet window for Madrid in terms of ins and outs. One that was most notable for who they failed to sign and who they decided not to sell, than the actual moves. There were signs of what could almost be called stability, which should augur well for the new season under Rafa, if he can deal with the egos.

Written by Tris Burke September 09 2015 08:48:27