Rudiger in, Hazard out: What Real Madid need in January transfer window
Stefan Bienkowski
- 4 Jan 2022 21:32 GMT
- 3 min read
Real Madrid are defined first by their historical success in the European Cup and secondly by their ability to pull off remarkable transfers.
However, as we now step into the January transfer window, it remains unclear as to what kind of business the Spanish giants intend on doing over the coming weeks.
Trending
Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain top of the Spanish top flight and are still in for a shot at this season’s Champions League.
So is there much need for Los Blancos to make major signings in January?
Goalkeepers
While Madrid may be concerned about a number of positions in their squad, between the posts is certainly not something that Ancelotti & Co. need to worry about.
In Thibaut Courtois, the Spanish giants have one of the best and in-form shot-stoppers in all of European football and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
Defenders
Madrid lost a number of defenders in the summer transfer window and while David Alaba did join the club, they could likely use a few more faces in January.
For example, the club are in desperate need of another central defender to help Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao and the aforementioned Austria international carry the load. The club have been heavily linked with a move for Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, but it remains to be seen whether they can bring the German to Spain this month.
Similarly, while Madrid have plenty of cover on the left flank, they could seriously use another right-back to help Daniel Carvajal and make-shift full-back Lucas Vazquez.
Midfielders
One of Madrid’s growing concerns in the summer was finding long-term replacements for Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, but the club seem to have found a useful prospect in Edouardo Camavinga to help plug the gaps for now.
As long as the evergreen playmakers continue pulling the strings alongside the industrious Casemiro, Ancelotti should remain confident of his midfielder ticking along until the end of the season. Which is perhaps where someone like Paul Pogba can help revitalise this area of the pitch.
As we all know, Madrid are hoping to complete the signing of Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe in the summer and as such it remains highly unlikely that the club will buy any forwards in the January window.
However, that’s not to say that a number of star forwards could move on. Luka Jovic, Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio and Isco have all been edging towards the exit for a few seasons now and may finally have their wish granted if decen offers come in for them. Eden Hazard may even join them if Newcastle cough up the money Madrid want for the former Chelsea star.
