0 Minutes for the First Team, Over €100M in the Bank: Real Madrid's Unusual Strategy

Real Madrid has funded its squad overhaul this summer through an unusual revenue stream: academy graduates who no longer wear the white shirt. The Spanish giants raked in €108 million from the sales of players who, in the 2025/26 season, didn't play a single minute for the first team. This windfall effectively covered the costs of new signings like Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, and José Mourinho.

The largest portion of this sum came from Nico Paz's transfer to Como for €60 million, making it the second most expensive sale of a club academy product, surpassed only by Álvaro Morata's move to Chelsea. Real Madrid, however, secured an €80 million buy-back option for next summer.

Another significant transfer was that of Víctor Muñoz. Following a standout season at Osasuna, the player moved to Liverpool, who triggered his €40 million release clause. Of this amount, half, or €20 million, went into the Bernabéu coffers.

The list of profitable sales also includes defenders Mario Gila, who transferred from Lazio to AC Milan, and Uruguayan forward Álvaro Rodríguez, who signed for Bournemouth. Each of these deals brought in €15 million for the club. Adding to these figures is the €3.5 million from Mario Martín's sale to local rivals Getafe, pushing the total well over the €100 million mark.

The Madrid club could see this income increase further. Sergio Arribas, the top scorer in the Spanish second division, is expected to leave Almería for €25 million, and should the transfer materialize, Real Madrid stands to receive an additional €12.5 million. The money keeps rolling in...