Ante Budimir To Real Madrid? Scout Insight On Surprise Transfer Link

It may be June, but Real Madrid have been incredibly busy in this year's transfer window. Following defeat in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, Los Blancos have added two phenomenal additions to begin the window.

After months of speculation, Trent Alexander-Arnold has finally been confirmed as a Real Madrid player, joining the club from Liverpool upon the expiration of his contract, with the Spanish club paying an early fee of €10m for the right-back to be available for the FIFA Club World Cup.

However, new manager Xabi Alonso was not contempt with adding just Alexander-Arnold to his team, as the Spanish giants made an early move with another Premier League team.

🚨 CONFIRMED: Real Madrid’s presentation schedule:

• Tuesday: DEAN HUIJSEN
• Wednesday: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD@JLSanchez78 pic.twitter.com/cLJjDgqXTn

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 9, 2025

Dean Huijsen was one of England’s brightest young central defenders in his first season at AFC Bournemouth, with the Spaniard impressing due to his rare passing and dribbling ability for a defender. Huijsen has joined the club for a reported €50m.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid's summer of spending does not seem to be over yet as Alonso wants to add a “Joselu” type of striker.

Ante Budimir is the player linked, with the forward coming off a brilliant season with Osasuna and being available for transfer, for a release clause worth €8m.

But why do Los Blancos want the striker?

Player Profile

In terms of the player, Budimir is a 33-year-old forward, currently playing for Osasuna in La Liga, with the Croatian having played in the division for several years and having established himself as a clinical goal-scorer.

With a combined 38 goals scored in La Liga over the last two previous seasons, the striker could be the perfect option for a team looking to sign a true goal-scorer.

However, at a considerably older age for a striker, when speaking to a scout, is Budimir good enough for Real Madrid?

🚨 Le Real Madrid est intéressé par Ante Budimir. Il a inscrit 21 buts en Liga cette saison et possède une clause de 8M€.

Xabi Alonso souhaite un attaquant type "Joselu". @diarioas pic.twitter.com/5Qr52jRBn5

— Edition Merengue (@EditionMerengue) June 4, 2025

We enlisted the opinion of Football Park's resident player expert, who spent a number of years working in the English Football League as a professional scout;

“Real Madrid noticed that they cannot be successful with a large number of young players only. They also need experienced players who can deal with the difficult moments in the game and keep the team together.

“I think this is the main reason they want to sign him.

Budimir has operated in La Liga for eight years, having had a previous spell of three years at Mallorca, scoring 19 goals in 57 games before netting 71 times in 179 matches for Osasuna.

“When we look at the footballing side, he plays like a striker who finds spaces between full backs and centre backs, creating positions to score or assist. And, as he is experienced, he knows how to get into the right place at the right time.

🏆⭐️ Ante Budimir was named CELER'S player of the year.

The Croatian international won the award after being named player of the month six times this season.

👏 Congrats, Budi!#LetsGoRojillos | #JugadorBrillante pic.twitter.com/y2TYpPkTLj

— C. A. OSASUNA (@osasuna_en) June 2, 2025

“He is 6'2, he is good at hold-up play, but he can also turn with the ball and create chances to score all by himself. Normally tall strikers, like Edin Dzeko, who can play a hold-up role cannot turn and take on the opposition to score by themselves, they need a number 10 or another striker to create. Budimir is good at this.

“He is hard-working on the pitch, and wants to be involved in every moment of the game. His finishing is also good enough. He is not one of the best players at heading, but he still scored a number of goals from headers due to his athleticism and height.

“Real Madrid could not create good chances to score with headers from crosses last year, and this year they might want to change this.”

A Season To Remember For The Marvellous Marksman

Playing for Osasuna, Budimir was a large part of one of La Liga’s biggest underdog stories last season as the club finished in 9th spot, missing out on European football by the narrowest of margins.

Budimir played in all 38 league games for Osasuna, scoring 21 goals and assisting four. Pound for pound, compared to other forwards, the Croatian was phenomenal, being superior to 80% of players for shot attempts and goals.

Per 90, Budimir also boasted a legendary campaign by all means, averaging 1.49 goals, 3.72 shots, 1.49 chances created, and 12.6 touches in the opposition box.

🚨 Real Madrid want to sign 33-year-old Ante Budimir. 🇭🇷🤍

He scored 21 goals in La Liga this season with Osasuna.

Xabi Alonso wants to sign a true number 9.

(Source: @diarioas) pic.twitter.com/3Aw25rwFm8

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 4, 2025

At 33 years of age, there may be major questions over the ability of Budimir, and whether he is able to perform to the same heights for the Spanish giants in Real Madrid. However, if Alonso wants a goal-poacher and a player with experience from the bench, the Croatian could be perfect.

For a fee of around €8m, Madrid cannot particularly go wrong, and with players like Kylian Mbappe and Endrick already at the club, Budimir could provide some well-needed depth.

To conclude, Budimir to Real Madrid might be one of the summer's most surprising deals, but it might turn out a worthwhile one, similar to the addition of Joselu in recent years.