Bellingham A, Kepa D: Grading every Real Madrid signing this season

Cameron Smith

• 29 Apr 2024 12:40 BST
• 4 min read

Real Madrid have been extremely successful in the transfer market over recent years, with Eden Hazard’s move from Chelsea the only blot on their record.

Los Blancos consistently improve their squad via smart acquisitions and their 2023 summer transfer business was no different.

Below, FootballTransfers grades each of their summer arrivals on how well they have performed this season.

READ MORE: Gundogan A, Felix C - Grading every Barcelona signing this season

Jude Bellingham (€103m from Borussia Dortmund) - Grade: A+

What a signing. The best of the season? There’s certainly an argument for it.

Jude Bellingham has been sublime since joining Real Madrid for €103 million last summer, with the Englishman exceeding even his own wildest expectations.

He has replaced Karim Benzema’s goals and Luka Modric’s midfield class all in one, while he is adored by Los Blancos fans.

Bellingham has been simply world class and his transfer fee already looks like a complete bargain - which isn’t something that is ever said about a player who cost in excess of €100m.

READ MORE: Mount E, Hojlund C - Grading every Man Utd signing this season

Arda Guler (€20m from Fenerbahce) - Grade: C

There was a lot of hype surrounding Arda Guler when he joined Real Madrid last summer, but the Turkish youngster has failed to establish himself as a regular at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Guler only started his first LaLiga game against Real Sociedad in April - a game in which he scored the winner - and he has mostly struggled for game time.

So far, his arrival hasn’t been value for money, however the teenager is extremely talented and is likely to come good in the future.

Fran Garcia (€5m from Rayo Vallecano) - Grade: B-

Fran Garcia started the campaign as Real Madrid’s first choice left-back, however he has fallen down the pecking order since then and is now firmly a back-up option.

With Alphonso Davies likely to join this summer, his place in Los Blancos’ squad is in doubt, but Garcia has been a reliable squad player and for €5m he has been a decent addition.

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Loan from Chelsea) - Grade: D

Although Kepa Arrizabalaga only joined Real Madrid on loan, his move to Los Blancos has been a bit of a disaster.

He was underwhelming during the early weeks of the 2023-24 season and was soon usurped by Andriy Lunin. Kepa was seen as a vital signing when Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury at the start of the campaign, but existing back-up Lunin has been a far better option and the Spaniard will return to Chelsea, despite previously admitting he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Joselu (Loan from Espanyol) - Grade: B

Although he wasn’t signed as Karim Benzema’s replacement, Joselu’s arrival on loan from Espanyol was mocked last summer.

However, the Spaniard has played a key role at Real Madrid, and he has already hit the double digit mark for goals.

Joselu isn’t a regular starter, but he has been a valuable squad player and it’s fair to say this loan move has been a success.