Real Madrid will rebuild during the 2008/09 off-season with two goals in mind: a third straight league title and a full-fledged assault on the Champions League. The first incorporation of the summer was that of Argentine centre-back Ezequiel Garay, who will play on loan for Racing Santander during the forthcoming season. Garay was followed by Rafael van der Vaart, who left Hamburg to play in Spain. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar became the third new Madridista of the season and the first during the winter transfer window. Lassana Diarra followed the Dutchman shortly thereafter, but Julien Faubert was the last player signed during the 2008/09 season.

The first player to land at Real Madrid's doorstep was Racing Santander centre-back, Ezequiel Garay, who will remain on loan with his former team for one more season.

Real Madrid's second acquisition of the summer was Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who signs in for five years in the Spanish capital.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the prolific goal scorer from Ajax, became Real Madrid's first winter signing on 2 December and will begin playing in the Spanish capital come January. Several days later, defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra was introduced as the newest member of the Real Madrid squad. On the final day of the winter transfer window, the club acquired the services of West Ham's Julien Faubert.