5 times Real Madrid overpaid for a player

#3 Luka Jovic - €63 million

Jovic has clocked just 84 minutes this season

Following the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018, Real Madrid peculiarly decided not to approach the market in search of a direct replacement for their all-time top scorer. However, this strategy backfired massively, and Los Blancos were forced to take out their checkbook the following summer.

Among other star signings, Luka Jovic's capture for the massive amount of €63 million was one of the most interesting transfers of the summer. The Serbia international had recently exploded onto the scene, scoring 27 goals in his final season with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018-19. Aged just 22 at the time of the transfer, Jovic was straightaway labeled a long-term replacement for the evergreen Karim Benzema.

Fast forward two years, and Jovic is as far from the Real Madrid first team as he was during his time with Frankfurt. The youngster has struggled to settle into life in the Spanish capital, accumulating a pitiful tally of two goals and three assists in 38 appearances so far.

A half-season loan back to Germany earlier this year did little to reignite his career. With Benzema in the form of his life, Jovic could soon find himself on the chopping block if things don't change soon.

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#2 James Rodriguez - €75 million

Club Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid CF - La Liga

An ideal example of promising stars bagging big-money transfers after a stellar international tournament, James Rodriguez's €75 million move to Real Madrid perfectly demonstrates the darker side of this phenomenon. Rodriguez was the shining light of an exciting Colombia side in 2014, leading them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup that year on the back of his six goals.

His contributions saw him bag the competition's Golden Boot as well as interest from all the superclubs. Mesmerized by his stunning performances, Real Madrid made it their mission to acquire the services of the young Colombian at any cost. They even sacrificed Angel Di Maria to make room for the rising superstar.

However, Rodriguez's dream move to Real Madrid soon turned sour due to his consistent injury issues and an alleged dispute with manager Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman refused to give the Colombian attacker a chance in his team, sending him out on a two-season loan at Bayern Munich. He was subsequently sold to Everton on a free transfer and is currently contracted to Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan at the age of 30.

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#1 Eden Hazard - €115 million

Eden Hazard being unveiled by Real Madrid

Eden Hazard's move to Real Madrid has been nightmarish, to say the least. The leading man at Chelsea, Hazard has become a shadow of his former self at the Bernabeu, completely losing his magical touch.

Bought from the Blues for a whopping €115 million, despite just one year remaining on his contract, the Belgian superstar inherited Cristiano Ronaldo's fabled No.7 jersey at Real Madrid. The stage was set for him to take the Portuguese superstar's place in the Spanish capital. However, expectations never came to fruition and Hazard is on the verge of exiting his current side at the time of writing.

The magisterial forward has only registered a paltry five goals and nine assists for Los Blancos so far, with injuries completely chewing up his Real Madrid career. Hazard's unfathomable fall from grace is arguably the most drastic downfall witnessed in the modern era. Boasting a market valuation of €150 million during his peak with Chelsea, Hazard is now valued at just €25 million, even less than his brother Thorgan.

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