Over the past two decades, Real Madrid have harnessed their reputation as one of the most extravagant operators in the transfer market.
Splashing out huge fees on some of the world’s best players such as Luis Figo, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Gareth Bale and many more, the Santiago Bernabeu very rapidly became the home of the Galacticos and brought with them the expected glitz and glamour.
However, the Spanish giants’ transfer ambitions have changed over the last few years having paid more importance to younger arrivals - a theme that has continued with the recent signing of AS Monaco starlet Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Frenchman has caught the eye at the Stade Louis II over recent seasons, with his performances garnering attention from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League but it was Los Blancos who managed to win the race for his services. It has been suggested that the Spanish side have agreed to pay £80m for the midfielder.
He joins a lengthy list of young players currently plying their trade at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid clearly putting extensive work into their succession planning. Tchouameni’s compatriot Eduardo Camavinga made the same move from Ligue 1 to La Liga last term and has proven to be a hugely successful acquisition.
He played a key role in Real’s 14th Champions League success - his regular introductions from the bench helping the Spanish side through on regular occasions in the knockout stages. The influence of the side’s young players does not end there though. Combined with the growing influence of Uruguay star Federico Valverde, Los Blancos look like possessing a midfield trio that can likely represent a key part of the club’s starting XI for a number of years to come.
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Defender Eder Militao is only 24 years of age and has already established himself as a starter at the Bernabeu following his switch from Portuguese giants FC Porto. In the meantime, there are also a number of promising youngsters that look set to succeed the likes of Karim Benzema in the club’s attack.
Rodrygo - a 2018 signing from Brazilian outfit Santos - has plenty of promise and whilst he has yet to show it on a regular basis, still has time to progress his game having only turned 21 back in January. Whilst Tchouameni is set to learn from one of his countrymen in Madrid, the same could certainly be said of Rodrygo.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr is currently fresh off the back of his most productive season in a Real Madrid shirt. The ex-Flamengo forward scored 22 goals last season - including the winner in the Champions League final against Liverpool - as well as providing a further 20 assists.
Meanwhile, big things were also expected of Reinier Jesus following his £26m switch to Spain but a disappointing loan spell with German outfit Borussia Dortmund appears to have stuttered his progress.
Despite that blow though, it is clear that Real Madrid are now prioritising their faith in youth - an ideology that Carlo Ancelotti appears to be a huge advocate of. Speaking last month, he said: "I haven't been disappointed by any of them [Real’s young players], I was surprised by the ones I knew less: Valverde, Rodrygo, Camavinga.
"I wasn't surprised by Vinicius because he has this talent, he's shown it, now he's been better at finishing. I would say Rodrygo, Camavinga and Valverde."
So with that progress appearing likely to continue with the addition of the highly-rated Tchouameni ahead of the 2022/23 season, Real’s reputation in the transfer market continues to be enhanced but with a slightly more different outlook to their previous Galacticos approach.
