Real Madrid keep their cool in 'dizzying' transfer market Real Madrid Florentino Perez has changed his strategy

After the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid signed James Rodriguez in what remains their most recent substantial investment in one player.

He was the top scorer at the tournament and the club decided that he must come to Madrid, whatever the cost, a similar tactic they'd used previously in the case of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Four years later, it seems that the strategy has changed.

In his most recent speech, at the presentation of Vinicius Junior, Florentino Perez made it clear that the market has gone wild in recent years and his words seem to suggest that Real Madrid will not get carried away as others have.

What will happen is that the club will keep their cool and will not pay whatever it takes for players on the market.

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have been ruled out, unless there is a major twist, and both have confirmed that they won't leave Paris Saint-Germain, whilst the club will not spend what they believe to be an unreasonable amount on any other candidate, from Eden Hazard to Mauro Icardi.

Now the policy is clear: footballers who improve what the team already has, which isn't easy, or young players with big futures ahead of them.

The signings will be made to add to the team, but never to build a team around one player.

"We know very well that the international footballing landscape has changed in a dizzying way and we must adapt and face up to this new reality," the Real Madrid president said.

"We must also not forget the important contribution of our youth set-up in the first team, which, as we all know, is one of the key parts of our identity.

"I said a few days ago that we would strengthen our squad with magnificent players and that's what we're doing, [Alvaro] Odriozola is one, and so is Vinicius.

"We will put our faith strongly on the young talents that one day want to be the best in the world.

"That's why Real Madrid are intensely strengthening the process of looking for young players."

Until now, the club have been loyal to this new idea, ruling out a move for Alisson due to the cost (70 million euros) of the operation, and turning their attention to Thibaut Courtois at a more affordable 35m euros.