Real Madrid's five best January transfers of all time

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 6 Feb 2025 16:09 GMT
• 4 min read

Real Madrid have been responsible for some of the best signings in football history and Los Blancos have spent billions to achieve this status.

While the majority of their transfer business typically takes place during the summer, Real Madrid have secured some impressive signings in the January window.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through Real Madrid’s five best January transfers of all time.

READ MORE: Real Madrid's five most expensive January transfers of all time

Marcelo - €6.5m (from Fluminense, 2007)

Real Madrid paid a measly €6.5m to sign an 18-year-old Marcelo from Fluminense back in 2007 and it remains one of their best ever pieces of transfer business.

The Brazilian was touted to become the heir to Roberto Carlos and he established himself as arguably the best full-back in world football during an illustrious 15-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Marcelo made a total of 546 appearances for Los Blancos and he helped the club win 25 trophies, including the Champions League on five occasions, before leaving to join Olympiacos in 2022.

READ MORE: Real Madrid's five worst January transfers of all time

Gonzalo Higuain - €12m (from River Plate, 2007)

In addition to Marcelo, Real Madrid also signed Gonzalo Higuain in January 2007 and although he didn’t become a Los Blancos legend, the Argentine was certainly still a successful signing.

Higuain arrived aged 19 and he spent six-and-a-half years at Real Madrid before joining Napoli for €39m in 2013.

He scored 121 goals in 264 games for Los Blancos, but he opted to leave the club amid significant competition from Karim Benzema.

Lassana Diarra - €20m (from Portsmouth, 2009)

Portsmouth to Real Madrid isn’t a particularly well-trodden path, but Lassana Diarra secured a move to the Spanish giants in January 2009 following an impressive stint on the south coast of England.

Diarra helped Portsmouth win the FA Cup after just four months at the club and he established himself as a key player before leaving for Real Madrid.

At the Santiago Bernabeu, Diarra was an unsung hero and he made 116 appearances for the club, winning three trophies along the way, before joining Anzhi Makhachkala in 2012.

Diego Lopez - €3.5m (from Sevilla, 2013)

Diego Lopez joined Real Madrid for €3.5m in January 2013 after Iker Casillas broke his hand, and the Spaniard was a revelation at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He kept Casillas out of the team in La Liga during his only full season with Los Blancos and although Casillas was preferred in the Champions League, Lopez established himself as one of Europe’s best goalkeepers.

He left to join AC Milan on a free transfer in 2014 and at €3.5m, Lopez was a complete bargain.

Casemiro - Loan (from Sao Paulo, 2013)

Casemiro initially joined Real Madrid Castilla on loan from Sao Paulo in 2013 and although the deal became permanent that summer, we’ve included it as a successful January signing.

After a promising six-month stint with Real Madrid’s reserve side, Casemiro was promoted to the senior team upon his permanent arrival and following a season of cameo appearances, he was loaned to Porto.

Casemiro became a hugely influential player for Los Blancos after returning to the club and he made 336 appearances, won 18 trophies and scored 31 goals before joining Manchester United.