Top 10 Real Madrid Signings After Jude Bellingham Sealed Move

Real Madrid's 2023 summer transfer spree has begun with a contract to acquire Borussia Dortmund star, Jude Bellingham.

Los Blancos have been chasing the English international for more than a year as part of a protracted transfer saga, and finally confirmed the deal on June 14.

According to Diario AS, Carlo Ancelotti is preparing significant changes for Madrid in the 2023/24 season after his team failed to defend both its La Liga and Champions League titles at the tail end of this term.

Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard have already departed the team, with Bellingham expected to be joined by other new faces in the coming weeks, amid a revival of interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe.

As reported by Marca, Bellingham has joined Real Madrid for an initial €103 million, but there could be another €30mil in add-ons based on other factors.

Sports Brief looks at where the English teenager stands in Los Blancos' list of all-time most expensive signings.

Real Madrid's most expensive signings

1. Eden Hazard

The Belgian forward remains, for now, Real Madrid's most expensive-ever signing at €115mil. Four years after arriving from Chelsea in 2019, he is leaving without having left much of a mark, after a spell plagued by injuries.

2. Jude Bellingham

The England midfielder goes straight in at number two for the Spanish giants, joining from Borussia Dortmund for an initial fee of €103mil.

3. Gareth Bale

The Welshman had a Real Madrid career of highs and lows, becoming the club's first €100mil player in 2013 when he joined for that sum from Tottenham Hotspur. Hopefully, fans will remember the highs, which included 19 trophies and some terrific performances in the early part of his spell in the Spanish capital.

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4. Cristiano Ronaldo

At €96mil (from Manchester United in 2009), Ronaldo is Los Blancos' fourth-most expensive signing. He spent nine years at the club and became one of their all-time greats.

5. Aurelien Tchouameni

Last season, Real Madrid parted with €80mil to bring in the young French international from Monaco and he will soon be lining up alongside Bellingham in a very pricey midfield.

6. Zinedine Zidane

The legendary Frenchman, Zizou came for €76mil from Juventus in 2001. There should be no need to say that this was a success, despite the huge fee for the time.

7. James Rodriguez

The Colombian is another who had a mixed spell. He cost €75mil to transfer from Monaco in 2014.

8. Kaka

It was a Galactico summer in 2009 with Kaka and Ronaldo arriving in the same window. The Brazilian cost €67mil to switch from AC Milan.

9. Luis Figo

One of the most controversial transfers of all time, Figo was signed from rival club, Barcelona for €62mil in 2000.

10. Luka Jovic

Rounding up the updated top 10 is Luka Jovic, who was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for €60mil in 2019. He will inarguably go down as a flop and after a loan spell at his former club in 2021, joined Fiorentina on a permanent deal in 2022.

Bellingham joins Real Madrid

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Real Madrid confirming Bellingham's signing from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year deal on Wednesday, with the English international worth over €100mil.

The Bundesliga side are reported to have agreed on a deal for the 19-year-old star last week, as the Spanish giants continue to revitalise their current midfield ahead of the new season.

Bellingham is expected to partner with the young French duo of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as veterans such as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are steadily phased out.