Real Madrid are not just big spenders, but have made some shrewd sales as well this century
It is not often that we look at Real Madrid as a club and realise how incredibly efficient the club's transfer sales strategy has proven to be.
They have not only earned a reputation when it comes to making record-breaking big signings, but they have also ensured they sold some high-profile players at eye-watering premiums.
In recent years, Madrid have invested their resources in signing youngsters for the future rather than already established stars and in their quest to do so, they have let go of some of their greatest-ever players.
A risky strategy perhaps, but one that has paid off as the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo for example not only saw Karim Benzema step up his game, but also allowed Vinicius Jr. to flourish.
The Portugal star is by no means the only player to have left Madrid for a big fee, though!
Real Madrid most expensive sales by season
Season
Biggest sale
Fee
Total sales
2022/23
Casemiro
€70.65M/£63.59M
€92.15M/£82.94M
2021/22
Raphael Varane
€40M/£36M
€78M/£70.20M
2020/21
Achraf Hakimi
€43M/£38.70M
€104.20M/£93.78M
2019/20
Mateo Kovacic
€45M/£40.50M
€135.50M/£121.95M
2018/19
Cristiano Ronaldo
€117M/£105.30M
€136.10M/£122.49M
2017/18
Alvaro Morata
€66M/£59.40M
€132.50M/£119.25M
2016/17
Jese
€25M/£22.50M
€37.50M/£33.75M
2015/16
Asier Illarramendi
€17M/£15.30M
€32.65M/£29.39M
2014/15
Angel Di Maria
€75M/£67.50M
€112.10M/£100.89M
2013/14
Mesut Ozil
€47M/£42.30M
€113.50M/£102.15M
2012/13
Esteban Granero
€8M/£7.20M
€33.50M/£30.15M
2011/12
Ezequiel Garay
€5.50M/£4.95M
€8M/£7.20M
2010/11
Rafael van der Vaart
€10.50M/£9.45M
€10.50M/£9.45M
2009/10
Arjen Robben
€25M/£22.50M
€88.50M/£79.65M
2008/09
Robinho
€43M/£38.70M
€71M/£63.90M
2007/08
Cicinho
€11M/£9.90M
€42.40M/£38.16M
2006/07
Ronaldo
€7.50M/£6.75M
€15.35M/£13.82M
2005/06
Michael Owen
€25M/£22.50M
€43.10M/£38.79M
2004/05
Fernando Morientes
€9.25M/£8.33M
€9.25M/£8.33M
2003/04
Claude Makelele
€20M/£18M
€32.80M/£29.52M
2002/03
Fernando
€5.20M/£4.68M
€8.20M/£7.38M
2001/02
None
Nil
None
2000/01
Nicolas Anelka
€34.50M/£31.05M
€121.95M/£109.76M
TOTAL
€1.46b/£1.31b
*All figures are taken from Transfermarkt unless stated otherwise.
Real Madrid top 10 most expensive player salesGetty10Gonzalo Higuain | €39 million/£35.10 million | SSC Napoli | 2013
Gonzalo Higuain was one of the greatest strikers of his generation in his prime.
After joining Real Madrid from River Plate for €12 million (£10.80 million) as a teenager, Higuain was initially used as a rotation option in the first team.
However, he went on to establish himself as the number one striker for Los Blancos when he netted 22 goals in La Liga in the 2008/09 season.
Higuain then scored 27 goals the following season despite his tender age.
But after Karim Benzema's arrival from Lyon in 2009, Higuain saw his minutes on the pitch limited and the striker was eventually sold in the summer of 2013 to Napoli for €39m (£35.10m).
AdvertisementGetty Images9Raphael Varane | €40 million/£36 million | Manchester United | 2021
One of the most successful footballers in history in terms of trophies won, Raphael Varane was a key figure for Real Madrid as they filled up their trophy cabinet in the last decade.
However, the year 2021 led to the end of an era at Madrid as they let go of two of their most influential defenders in Varane and Sergio Ramos.
The Frenchman's contract in Madrid was set to expire in 2021 and Manchester United came calling for €40 million (£36m).
Real Madrid took this opportunity and made Varane one of their most expensive sales in history.
Getty Images8Robinho | €43 million/£38.70 million | Manchester City | 2008
Robinho was part of the Brazilian revolution that took place at Real Madrid in the early 2000s.
The creative winger was in much demand throughout Europe due to his skill on the ball and the ease with which he cut past defenders in La Liga.
His performances caught the eye of Manchester City, who were just beginning a new era under fresh ownership from the Middle East and were ready to pay a premium fee for the superstar.
City made Robinho their most expensive signing in history at that time, forking out €43 million (£38.70 million) for his services.
Robinho lasted only two years in Manchester, eventually being loaned to AC Milan.
7Achraf Hakimi | €43 million/£38.70 million | Inter | 2020
Real Madrid chose to loan Hakimi for two seasons to Borussia Dortmund in 2018 after he came through the club's youth academy and the Morocco international ended up being one of the best performing players in Germany during that time.
His performances impressed Inter, who tabled a bid of €43 million (£38.70 million) for the right-back in the summer of 2020, which Madrid happily accepted.
Hakimi grew in stature at Inter and was one of the leaders in their squad, even if he only featured for them for one season.
The Italians had to urgently sort out their finances, which led them to part ways with Hakimi when Paris Saint-Germain splashed the cash to secure his services in the summer of 2021.