Real Madrid Enforces Sell-First Transfer Policy as Mourinho Targets Reinforcements

Real Madrid has established an internal transfer directive requiring squad departures before making any further signings in the current transfer window, even as head coach Jose Mourinho seeks to add a centre-back and a midfielder to his first-team roster.

Perhaps the most significant line in the wider strategic sense is brutally straightforward: “The message from the club, which has also been communicated internally, is that someone has to leave in order for further signings to be made.” That is a familiar Real Madrid principle in modern form. Glamour may frame the institution from the outside, but the internal logic is colder and more disciplined.

Under La Liga financial regulations, every Spanish club operates under a squad cost limit known as the Límite de Coste de Plantilla Deportiva, which restricts total spending on first-team salaries and transfer fee amortizations to a fixed percentage of club revenue. To comply with these financial constraints while addressing Mourinho’s requests for defensive and central midfield reinforcements, Real Madrid’s executive board has mandated that existing squad salaries and places must be cleared before finalizing new additions.

To generate transfer revenue, Real Madrid completed the sale of 20-year-old reserve team striker Jacobo Ortega to French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for approximately €10 million. Ortega, who was part of the under-19 team that won the UEFA Youth League last season, made zero first-team appearances before the transfer. Real Madrid retained a right of first refusal and a 30 per cent sell-on clause for the academy graduate.

Strasbourg completed the Ortega acquisition under the ownership of BlueCo, the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital that acquired the French club in June 2023. The €10 million transaction provides direct accounting profit on Madrid’s balance sheet for player sales.

Beyond academy transfers, Real Madrid and Mourinho are open to senior departures involving defender Raul Asencio and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, provided formal market offers materialise. Camavinga, who joined Madrid from Rennes in August 2021 for €31 million and signed a contract extension through June 2029 featuring a €1 billion release clause, represents a primary high-value asset if the club decides to liquidate squad value to fund incoming transfers.

While potential senior departures remain dependent on external bids, club officials have ruled out a departure for Brazilian forward Endrick, keeping the 18-year-old in Madrid for the upcoming campaign.

The report states: “The most notable news was the decision that Brazilian striker Endrick will stay, despite rumours linking him with a loan move to Aston Villa and Roma.” In the churn of summer speculation, clarity matters. This is clear. Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho and the player are aligned, at least for the opening phase of the campaign.

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Endrick joined Real Madrid following a transfer agreement signed with Palmeiras in December 2022 for an initial €35 million base fee plus up to €25 million in variable add-ons. Despite loan inquiries from Aston Villa and Roma, Mourinho has planned for Endrick to feature in the club’s immediate attacking rotations.

Mourinho does not view Bernardo Silva or Federico Valverde as regular options on the right wing. Consequently, Endrick will be utilized as a right-sided option alongside Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz, while also serving as tactical depth at centre-forward behind the primary starting options.