Real Madrid struggled in 2018-2019 before Zinedine Zidane began his second managerial stint with the club, but a couple of their incoming transfers in the 2018 window have been big hits.
Everything is on the upswing for Real Madrid heading into the summer 2020 transfer window, as Zinedine Zidane has Los Blancos back to playing competitive football in both La Liga and the Champions League. Their quest for trophies has quickly begun again, as Real did win the Spanish Supercup early in 2020 by defeating Valencia and Atletico Madrid in clean sheets.
The 2019 summer transfer window was an eventful one for Los Blancos, and they could end up being just as active in 2020. However, Real’s 2018 transfer window didn’t feature as many major signings, with nobody quite like Eden Hazard joining.
Still, Real Madrid did make a couple of big moves before the 2018-2019 season, and, in hindsight, those moves keep looking better and better. The jury is still out on the other signings, of course.
Here’s a re-grade of Real’s 2018 summer transfer window.
ST Mariano Diaz
The 26-year-old joined Real Madrid again after scoring nearly 20 goals in Ligue 1 for Lyon, forming a fearsome attacking trio with current Real Betis star Nabil Fekir and the dominant Memphis Depay.
Mariano Diaz, however, has barely played for Real Madrid despite doing everything he can to fight for his place. He has earned a high degree of respect from the fanbase, who absolutely loved his substitute goal to seal a 2-0 win in El Clasico in March.
However, Mariano’s lack of playing time means he will almost certainly leave this summer, in spite of his desire. Because of how little Real have gotten out of the talented striker, it’s hard to grade this 23 million euro move, which was a discount price due to the club’s partial ownership of his rights, positively.
Grade: C-