Gakpo in, Hazard out: What Real Madrid need in January transfer window

Karan Tejwani

• 24 Dec 2022 14:40 GMT
• 4 min read

Real Madrid came into the season as reigning Spanish and European champions and are hoping for similar success in this campaign.

Midway through it, they look healthy in the Champions League and while they aren’t top of La Liga, they are confident they can do well domestically.

However, there have been a few gaps in the Real Madrid squad that need to be filled and the January transfer window is the perfect chance for them.

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So, which players do they need to sign in January?

Goalkeepers

In goal, they look settled with first-choice Thibaut Courtois, who has emerged as one of the best in the world and looks unmovable in the Real Madrid net.

His deputy is Ukrainian Andriy Lunin, who, after a few loan spells out, has found his place meaning Real Madrid look healthy in net.

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Defenders

In defence, at centre-back, Real Madrid are well stacked with David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao there with capable back-up.

However, right-back could be an issue as they need sufficient cover in case Dani Carvajal suffers an injury and is ruled out, with Alvaro Odriozola seemingly on his way out of the club – Galatasaray’s Sacha Boey is linked.

They may also need cover at left-back, and that may force them to go into the market, with Rayo Vallecano’s Fran Garcia linked.

Midfielders

Real Madrid possibly have the best midfield options in Europe: players like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde are at their disposal.

Despite that, Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move and Real Madrid may consider making a move for him as early as January to avoid competition.

There may be some departures from the squad in this regard as Lucas Vazquez might find his way out of the exit door.

Forwards

One of the biggest issues with the current Real Madrid squad is that they’ve not got an able back-up for Karim Benzema, and luckily, it hasn’t cost them.

They need to bring one in, with Cody Gakpo linked.

They also have to ship other players off, such as Eden Hazard, who has rarely played over consistently since joining the club as well as Mariano Diaz and Marco Asensio, but having all of them depart in one go is unlikely.