A disappointing season for Real Madrid is an impressive campaign for most other clubs in European football.
Los Blancos stumbled during the first half of 2024/25. and they will be frustrated with themselves before entering the new year. Three wins from six in the Champions League is worrying and leaves them in a difficult position, while their La Liga form has been inconsistent. By their own lofty standards, they are far from their best.
It seems unlikely that Madrid will make any additions in the January transfer window but that could prove to be a fatal mistake. Injuries to defenders have been costly this season and have often left the Spanish giants exposed, with backline reinforcements essential in the near future.
Here are the areas Real Madrid could aim over the winter window.
Dani Carvajal enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023/24, but his current campaign is already over. The 32-year-old is out for the rest of the term with an ACL injury he picked up at the start of October, leaving Madrid incredibly short at right-back.
Lucas Vazquez is their only other senior option and the former winger has rarely been a reliable figure on the right side of defence. An injury to the Spaniard in mid-November forced Ancelotti to use Federico Valverde at right-back.
Los Blancos could desperately use a more consistent and impressive option for the second half of the campaign.
Key objectives
It seems that Madrid’s main target is the right-back of Dinamo Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold. The No.66 is out of contract with the Reds at the end of the current campaign and could join best friend Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital. The England defender could sign a pre-contract with Los Blancos in January, but it seems highly unlikely that he would join before next summer.
Bayer Leverkusen sensation Jeremie Frimpong is the second one that was casually associated with Madrid. The attack-minded Dutchman was an integral part of his team in the league and cup last term with his penchant for goals and assists.
Even the Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot there is reportedly interested in Los Blancos. The Portuguese defender would certainly be a permanent option for Madrid, but it is unlikely that he will get his pulse racing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The central defender has long been a problem for Madrid. Not because of the quality of those they have in position, but because of a relentless string of injuries.
David Alaba has been out since December 2023 and will need time to adapt when he returns to the squad at the start of the new year. Eder Militao suffered an ACL injury for the second consecutive season will miss the rest of the campaign. Nacho Fernandez left on a free transfer in the summer.
All this left Madrid without depth and quality in the central defender position. Antonio Rudiger was the mainstay, but his partner rotated between defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and youngster Raul Asencio. In order to compete for the big titles, they may need to strengthen the center of their defence.
Key objectives
One option for Madrid during the January window is the former defender Rafa Marin. They sold the 22-year-old to Napoli after an impressive loan spell with Alaves, but could approve the Spaniard’s return during January – even if it is only on loan.
Jonathan Tah was a serious target for Bayern Munich over the summer, but a move for the centre-back to the Bavarian giants never materialised. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is available on a free transfer next summer and Madrid was previously associated with the German international.
If Madrid want to sign a young talent with a lot of potential, then Palmeiras is the wonderkid Vitor Reis could be a solution. The 18-year-old has been compared to his Brazilian compatriot Marquinhos and has a bright future.
Left-back is one of the few defensive areas where Madrid have not suffered any significant injuries this term, but Ferlando Mendy’s increasingly worrying performances mean it is still a position that could be strengthened.
Substitute Fran Garcia replaced the Frenchman in recent weeks after a disappointing first half of the 2024/25 season, full of mistakes and uncertain results. Even Eduardo Camavinga was favored over his compatriot in the 4-2 win over Sevilla last time out.
Key objectives
Alphonso Davies is Madrid’s main left back. The speedy Bayern defender has consistently been one of the best in Europe in his position over recent seasons and could come on a free transfer next summer. A move in January looks far less likely, but they could agree a deal with the Canadian international during the winter window.
A profitable option could be Girona Miguel Gutierrez. The former Los Blancos academy product could be available for as little as £8m due to a buy-out clause in his contract, and the 23-year-old shone for last season’s surprise Champions League qualifiers.
A move for another former left-back, Theo Hernandezwould be a more ambitious move. Madrid are unlikely to pay the huge fee likely to be required to sign the Frenchman, but there is no doubting his status as one of the world’s leading full-backs.
READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND GOSSIP
