Real Madrid dealt first major setback for January transfer window

Tom Weber

• Updated: 31 Dec 2023 15:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid's hopes of signing Robert Renan as an injury replacement appear to have been dashed.

Los Blancos are heading into what could prove to be a busier transfer window than initially planned. For months, the message coming out of Real Madrid was that no signings would be made in the winter window despite the obvious lack of options at centre-forward.

December, however, has been cruel to the Spanish giants and David Alaba has joined Eder Militao on the treatment table, with both nursing ACL injuries. This has left Carlo Ancelotti's side shorthanded in the centre-back department and the Italian, who recently surprisingly extended his contract, has already admitted that his recruitment team will scour the market for short-term solutions.

Among the options that have reportedly been considered is Robert Renan. The highly-rated centre-back has been plying his trade with Zenit in Russia, but he will be on the way out in January. His destination won't be Spain, however.

Return to Brazil

According to AS, Renan is quickly slipping from Real Madrid's grasp. Instead of moving to the Spanish capital, the 20-year-old appears to be on the verge of returning to Brazil.

The former Corinthians youngster is close to joining Internacional for the 2024 Serie A season. In fact, the Spanish outlet asserts that only some documents still need to be exchanged between St. Petersburg and Porto Alegre and the deal will be done.

Renan is a highly-rated centre-back and a sought-after commodity because he is left-footed. Arsenal and Chelsea were fighting over his signature last year, but he joined Zenit for €10 million. Now, the club, aware of the fact that there is baggage attached to doing business with Russian sides, are trying to boost his value as much as possible by sending him out on loan before selling him on, likely to the Premier League.