Carlo Ancelotti has once again put Real Madrid in a strong position in several trophy hunts, but this year’s crusade proves to be on a knife’s edge.
Amid an injury crisis at the Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos could be dipping into the rarely utilised January transfer market to secure reinforcements in their back line.
Real Madrid started 2024 as La Liga leaders, just ahead of wonderful Girona, and looked forged in the Champions League organising phase, securing a knockout match against German club RB Leipzig.
The explosion of Jude Bellingham’s summer signing in his first season with the club is one of the main reasons for his success, helping to fill the gaps in the team.
However, all of that may be in jeopardy if serious defensive injuries threaten to derail plans to bring trophies to the club.
The Sporting News details who could join the Spanish giants in January to help patch up deficiencies in a squad exacerbated by the various fitness concerns.
MORE: A closer look at the injury list Real Madrid face ahead of the January window
On January 25, Sport Bild reported that Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé had finally made a decision about his future: he wanted to sign for Real Madrid.
After appearing close to moving to the Spanish capital ahead of a last-minute contract extension with PSG in 2022, Mbappe’s long career has once again been shrouded in uncertainty in recent times. It seemed like he was debating whether he deserved to stay with the French champions. , his long-awaited move to Madrid or even the prospect of a change in the Premier League.
However, Sport Bild’s report claims that Liverpool’s potential interest dissipated almost as soon as it began, given the monetary demands. Mbappe and his family (his mother works as his agent) could earn 400 million euros during a five-year contract if Madrid meet their demands, the German publication claimed. The Spanish club is running to alleviate those conditions.
The deal is certain, but if Mbappe fulfills his wish, he will probably wear the famous white blouse in 2024/25.
Reports from Germany have indicated for weeks that talks between Alphonso Davies and Bayern Munich over a new contract for the Canadian have stalled.
His current contract expires in June 2025, and an extension was verbally agreed to this year. German publication Bild reports that Davies has since increased his demand to nearly €15 million per year, up from the €12 million previously agreed.
If Davies fails to reach an agreement, he could push the German club to sell in January, knowing that wasting more time in fruitless negotiations would see his price plummet. Bild connected Davies with Real Madrid
The 23-year-old has been a dynamic player at Bayern, his versatility as a winger or full-back would give Ancelotti some flexibility to deploy Davies in his ever-changing tactical approach.
When Raphael Varane left Real Madrid in August 2021, it came as a surprise, as the Frenchman had a world-class defender and Manchester United took advantage of his availability for a significant fee.
Still, all is well at Old Trafford, as Varane is limited to a replacement role this season having squandered all of Erik ten Hag’s trust. According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, Man United know that Varane is not satisfied and there is a winter sale on the horizon. In addition, reports in Spain claim that Varane has been introduced to Madrid through his agent.
Despite the obvious need for cover, with the exclusion of Eder Militao and David Alaba, Ancelotti will review Aurélien Tchouameni at centre-back before making a decision on a new signing.
22-year-old Portuguese centre-back Goncalo Inacio has risen to European prominence at Sporting CP, helping lead the club to the top of the Liga Portugal table with 15 goals conceded in 14 games.
Spanish publication AS claims that Real Madrid have been monitoring Inácio closely for some time, with a clause of around €60 million, but it would be difficult to negotiate that sum down.
However, with Ancelotti sticking to what he was given in January, a summer offer is more likely.
Bellingham has breathed new life into Real Madrid and elevated the club to the best of several competitions, so can you expect to see the double?
According to Spanish publication Sport, 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham is impressing in Sunderland’s EFL championship team, and while that would be a pretty big jump from England’s second tier to Europe’s most decorated club, there’s an apparent connection here.
Jobe Bellingham bears a striking resemblance to his brother Jude and plays in the same position, but it remains to be seen whether the youngster, who joined Sunderland from Birmingham City last summer for €1. 75m, would be a realistic option to join. his older brother.
Real Madrid’s most sought-after position in the January transfer window is centre-back, following long-term injuries to Militao and Alaba, who have ruptured their ACL this season.
Militao’s injury occurred in the first game of the season, meaning he is expected to return in the coming months, but Alaba went down in December, meaning he is done for 2023/24 and in all likelihood for the start of next season.
Ancelotti is a fan of January’s moves and will only replace tactics if his political options convince him.