Real Madrid transfer news roundup: Romero swoop, Carreras set to join, Ruben Neves eyed + more

Following an underwhelming campaign where none of the season’s three major domestic or European honours were secured, the curtain came down on Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure at Real Madrid—the Italian tactician stepping away to assume the Brazil national team coach position.

Though Ancelotti did deliver silverware in the shape of the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, Los Blancos were second-best to Barcelona in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. They suffered a European disappointment in the Champions League.

Xabi Alonso, a former midfield lynchpin at the Bernabéu and fresh from a successful spell leading Bayer Leverkusen, has stepped into the top job to lift standards across all competitions in 2025-26. Fans with Real Madrid tickets will be expecting the club to be winning titles once again this coming season.

Three players have already been brought in—Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen will reinforce the back line, while River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono has penned a deal but is not expected to link up with the squad until next month.

Alvaro Carreras of Benfica is also nearing a transfer, and Alonso hinted that further reinforcements will follow before the window shuts.

“We didn’t get into it during the Club World Cup,” he commented on Wednesday, “but from now on we’re focused on elevating the squad. There’s always space for progress.”

Among those plans, a fresh face at striker remains a significant target, with Alonso reportedly seeking a lead who brings a different dynamic than Kylian Mbappé.

Still, Gonzalo Garcia has emerged as a standout during the Club World Cup, and his displays may earn him a prominent role when the new term begins.

Madrid’s La Liga journey will commence against Osasuna on August 17, shortly after their Club World Cup involvement wraps up. Expectations will weigh heavily on Alonso’s shoulders, particularly in the title race, where Barcelona’s attacking firepower makes it difficult for them to surpass.

The midfield’s frailties—ruthlessly exposed in the loss to Paris Saint-Germain—may force the club into the market for a high-profile central option before the window concludes. With Luka Modric leaving as a free agent, a vacancy has opened in the squad, but whether Florentino Pérez authorises more spending remains to be seen.

Here, Football Talk brings you a roundup of the latest Real Madrid transfer rumours.

Xabi Alonso eye dream Vitinha swoop

The frontline picture in Madrid is evolving fast. With the arrivals of Franco Mastantuono and Kylian Mbappé, along with the nailed-on presence of Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo’s position appears increasingly uncertain.

Talks surrounding Rodrygo’s potential departure have intensified, with reports indicating that Real Madrid are adamant about including Vitinha in any agreement involving Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish giants are not inclined to sanction a straight sale of the forward to the Ligue 1 champions.

According to Defensa Central, Madrid would be willing to green-light Rodrygo’s switch to Paris—but only if Portuguese midfielder Vitinha is included in a player-plus-cash exchange.

Since joining from Santos, the Brazilian has made 270 appearances, tallying 68 goals and 51 assists in the white shirt. But despite that consistent output, a mutual willingness to part ways could pave the way for a departure in this transfer window, potentially as part of a strategic effort to capture the club’s prime midfield target.

Rodrygo was given the nod in Madrid’s Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal, but his involvement diminished in the subsequent fixtures, reduced to substitute appearances against Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, where he only entered in the dying minutes of the clash with the German outfit.

The Spanish outlet adds that Rodrygo has always been of keen interest to PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and he’s now eyeing a possible swoop for the forward.

However, whether the European Champions and Club World Cup finalists agree to include Vitinha in the deal remains to be seen.

Real Madrid plot audacious swoop to sign Cristian Romero

Madrid’s defensive lapses were laid bare in the Club World Cup semi-final clash against PSG, with Raul Asencio falling culpable again for the third time in this tournament.

The club have already signed Huijsen from Bournemouth, but a further defensive reinforcement could be needed at the club. Much to the disappointment of fans with Tottenham tickets, Romero has now emerged as a top target.

According to Fichajes, Madrid have earmarked Tottenham Hotspur’s centre-back Cristian Romero over a possible transfer to the Bernabéu this summer.

The Argentina international’s experience in the top flight, strength, and character make him an attractive option for the Los Blancos, who are now plotting a swoop to sign him, according to the report.

However, the deal won’t be easy, as the Spanish outlet claims that Spurs are reluctant to let the 27-year-old depart North London this summer and will only initiate discussions if a £68m offer is submitted for the Argentine, who is also of keen interest to Atletico Madrid.

Madrid to finalise Alvaro Carreras’ deal

Real Madrid are hoping to ‘finalise’ the transfer of Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras, according to Diario AS.

Carreras is on the verge of sealing a homecoming to Madrid, marking five years since he first departed the club in pursuit of new experiences. He made the switch to Manchester United in 2020, coinciding with Alejandro Garnacho’s arrival from Atletico Madrid. However, while Garnacho rapidly rose through the ranks and broke into the first team at 18, the defender carved out an alternative developmental journey in Portugal with Benfica.

As per Diario AS, Madrid are hoping to ‘finalise’ a deal to sign the Spain U21 international in the coming days.

The report adds that Los Blancos are optimistic about completing Carrera’s swoop without having to pay his full release clause, with Spanish left-back Rafael Obrador expected to go the opposite direction.

Los Blancos keen on Ibrahima Konate 

With two defenders already added to the team, it now appears most of Madrid’s transfer dealings this summer will involve defensive reinforcement.

It appears a third defender could be on the horizon, as Diario AS claims that Liverpool’s centre-back Ibrahima Konate is on the radar of the Spanish giants.

Citing reports from England, AS adds that the France international is not considering a contract extension at Anfield, and the club is open to his departure should they receive a substantial financial package.

However, despite indicating interest in the 26-year-old, the report adds that Madrid are unwilling to pay any figures close to his £51m Transfermarkt valuation. The Spanish club will only consider paying a fee of around £17-21m to sign the Frenchman, who has just one year left on his contract, according to the report.

Real Madrid set sights on Ruben Neves

Real Madrid are plotting an audacious swoop to sign Al Hilal’s midfielder Ruben Neves this summer.

This is according to Fichajes, who claims that Madrid have set their sights on a possible swoop to sign the former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder to bolster their midfield ranks this summer.

After excelling in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Portuguese midfielder made the move to Saudi Arabia, where he has continued to demonstrate his commanding presence, despite the shift in tempo. His ability to read the game, dictate play, and unleash ferocious efforts from distance has seen him emerge as a cornerstone for Al Hilal, where his influence and leadership were evident throughout the previous campaign.

The report adds that the 28-year-old’s qualities fit the mould of the archetypal midfielder to bolster Alonso’s midfield, and the Spanish giants are now ’a step ahead’ of several European clubs in the race for his signature.

While Los Blancos’ interest in the combative midfielder is concrete, the financial package of the deal could pose a challenge. However, the Portuguese is intrigued by the prospect of returning to Europe to don Madrid’s famous white and black jersey, which could help facilitate the deal, according to the report.