Real Madrid’s trick to register a 26th player in their squad

Real Madrid are facing a serious squad registration dilemma as the summer transfer window approaches its final stages. At present, all 25 first-team registration slots permitted by La Liga are already occupied, leaving the Spanish giants with very little room to complete further signings.

This situation could become particularly complicated if Yan Diomandé officially joins the club before the transfer deadline. The Ivorian international would become the 26th senior player in José Mourinho’s squad, exceeding the maximum number of professional licences authorised by the Spanish league.

Despite the apparent obstacle, Real Madrid’s hierarchy have already prepared several solutions to ensure that Diomandé can be registered and made available to the coaching staff.

Diomandé—and possibly Rodri

The club’s preferred option remains the departure of at least one first-team player. Franco Mastantuono is still strongly linked with a loan move to Fiorentina, and his exit would immediately free up one senior registration place.

However, Mastantuono’s departure would solve the problem only if Diomandé were Real Madrid’s final signing of the transfer window. The situation is more complex because the club continue to work on a possible deal for Manchester City midfielder Rodri.

Real Madrid view the Spanish international as a major target capable of strengthening their midfield and providing more experience, tactical intelligence and control in important matches. Should both Diomandé and Rodri arrive, the club would need to create two available places in the senior squad.

That means another departure could become necessary before the market closes. Several players may therefore see their futures reconsidered depending on the progress of negotiations during the final weeks of the transfer window.

A Castilla licence as an emergency solution

Should Real Madrid fail to complete the required departures, the club have reportedly identified an alternative registration strategy.

According to Spanish journalist Ramón de Mon, Yan Diomandé could initially be registered with a Real Madrid Castilla licence. This arrangement would allow the Ivorian youngster to train and play with Mourinho’s first team without occupying one of the 25 senior registration places.

The plan would provide Real Madrid with important flexibility. Diomandé could still participate in first-team competitions while the club continue to manage the composition of the squad and potentially make room for another major arrival.

A solution already used by Real Madrid

💣 Los 25 jugadores que formarán parte de la plantilla del Real Madrid 2026/27.

No se esperan más cambios. pic.twitter.com/7Z8u2bpa8o

— (fan) REAL MADRID FANS 🤍 (@AdriRM33) August 6, 2026

This would not be the first time the Spanish club have adopted such an approach. Franco Mastantuono was reportedly registered with a Castilla licence during the previous season before being gradually integrated into the senior squad.

Real Madrid therefore already understand how to use this mechanism to manage young players while respecting La Liga’s registration rules.

Nevertheless, registering Diomandé with Castilla remains a backup option rather than the club’s preferred strategy. The priority is still to finalise at least one departure and create a permanent place in the professional squad.

Should no transfer exit materialise, the Castilla licence would allow Real Madrid to complete Diomandé’s arrival without violating registration limits. More importantly, it would preserve enough flexibility for the club to continue pursuing Rodri and potentially conclude one of the most ambitious summer transfer windows in its recent history.