Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid’s surprising transfer records compared

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Over last 10 seasons 

There’s some gargantuan fixtures across Europe this weekend with Manchester United hosting Tottenham in the Premier League and Bayer Leverkusen facing Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. But arguably the biggest game will take place in Spain on Sunday night when Real host Atlético in the Madrid derby. It’s the second biggest fixture in Spain behind El Clásico and it’s already a pivotal clash despite it arriving on matchday eight of the 2024/25 season.

Both sides are unbeaten in all competitions with Real two points ahead of their city rivals in the league table but Barcelona boasted a four-point lead at the La Liga summit after a perfect start under Hansi Flick – heading into this weekend’s fixtures. Real are widely recognised as the biggest club in the world but perhaps surprisingly, Atlético have spent more in the transfer market across the last ten seasons – including this summer.

Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid’s transfer records compared

Real Madrid were renowned for their Galactico transfer policy of the 2000s under Florentino Perez when they actively signed the biggest stars in football. The Galactico period can be split into two periods – the early 2000s and late 2000s into the 2010s. Perez’s first presidential tenure saw Luís Figo, Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zinédine Zidane – amongst others – arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu before Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale joined in his second spell. But Madrid’s transfer policy has changed in recent years and that’s reflected in the fact that Atletico have spent more than their rivals across the last ten seasons.

As the graphic above illustrates, Atlético have spent €1.16 billion since 2015/16, while Real’s transfer outlay is €996m according to Transfermarkt data. Atlético have also outspent Real in six of those ten seasons, including this summer when they had their record expenditure in one window of €185m. Real, however, have the highest spend in one season across this time period of €361m in 2019/20 when Eden Hazard arrived for €121m. In recent seasons, Madrid have targeted emerging talents and focused on picking up big name players on free transfers, typified by Kylian Mbappé’s arrival this summer.

Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid’s net spends compared

When assessing clubs transfer business, it’s imperative to analyse net spends with balancing the books increasingly important due to financial fair play rules. While Atlético have spent more than Real over the last decade, the Champions League holders have a higher net spend of €228m compared to €150m. Real have generated €768m from player sales across this time period while Atlético have impressively brought in over €1bn. Diego Simeone’s men are one of just seven clubs to generate over €1bn in transfer income across the last ten seasons with Chelsea leading the way at €1.39m.

On the Madrid clubs’ transfer business, Transfermarkt’s La Liga expert Iván Fuente said: “Real Madrid can do two things that Atleti can’t – buying very expensive players for over €100m and spending big amounts on very young players like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo or Endrick. Atlético do not have the financial capacity to risk so much money on just a promising player – especially after the failed signing of João Félix. Atlético can buy players from other LaLiga teams, or ‘lower teams’ from abroad, but not compete with the big boys in the market. Real Madrid try to contract free players or in the last year of contract, in this way they don’t pay fees but pay a lot on salary and bonuses, which don’t show on transfer records.”

Who will win the Madrid derby?

The big news ahead of the Madrid derby is that Mbappe will miss out after sustaining a slight injury that will keep him sidelined for three weeks. The French superstar has seven goals and one assist in nine games since joining Madrid and how Carlo Ancelotti will replace Mbappe in his starting eleven will be fascinating. Neither side can afford to drop more points to Barcelona in the title race with their unbeaten records on the line.

Fuente added: “As Barcelona have started showing a very high level, Real Madrid and Atlético can’t lose points. Both are already a few points behind the Culés, so this match is key for both, even though we are only in the eighth game week.”