That’s the view of Sky Sports pundit Craig Bellamy, who believes Real Madrid face too much competition to just buy who they want.
Los Blancos used to outmuscle their competitors when it came to finances, building a Galactico team in the early 2000s.
It featured the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Brazil star Ronaldo.
But more teams around the world now have the cash to compete with the La Liga giants, including Manchester City, PSG and Chinese outfits.
Ronaldo left Real Madrid in the summer, joining Juventus just weeks after helping the club to a third Champions League in a row.
And Bellamy believes Real face difficulties in finding a high-class replacement because of the funds floating about now.
“You’re dealing with different money now,” Bellamy told The Debate on Sky Sports.
“It’s not what you have as Madrid. You’re dealing with countries that have billions and billions now.
“PSG can rival you. They can offer that little bit more.
“Madrid have always been able to spend more than any other club historically. But that isn’t the case anymore.
“The Galacticos they have been interested in – Mbappe and Neymar for example – it’s difficult to get them.
“They wanted Neymar when he left Barcelona but that didn’t happen.”
Real Madrid are currently searching for a new manager after sacking Julen Lopetegui this week.
Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is favourite but former Los Blancos president Roman Calderon believes that would cause too many issues in the Spanish capital.
“He’s asked for three years and to come in with five people and have hands free for signings and transfers,” Calderon told BBC Radio 5 live’s Football Daily Euro Leagues Show.
“But that’s something the president [Florentino Perez] isn’t willing to accept.
“I don’t think Antonio Conte will be the coach the Bernabeu is expecting.
“He’s like Jose Mourinho – a defensive coach with normally three centre-backs playing counter-attacking football.
“That’s not what Real Madrid expect to see. The president tried this before with Mourinho.”