Real Madrid set for SHOCK January transfer plan

Suraj Radia

• 6 Oct 2024 13:30 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid’s start to the season has left the club considering changing their transfer strategy that they have enforced for the past six years.

Real are unbeaten and joint-top of La Liga, however a first defeat in 36 games across all competitions against Lille in the Champions League in midweek left Carlo Ancelotti ’worried’ by his side’s performances.

Any concerns were momentarily dispelled with a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday but Real were handed a significant blow when captain Dani Carvajal was stretchered off with an injury in the final minutes of the game.

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The 32-year-old is confirmed to have ruptured his ACL, which is set to sideline him for the rest of the season and leaving Lucas Vazquez as Real’s only fit right-back.

Real have had defensive injuries throughout the campaign, with David Alaba still some way off fitness after his own cruciate ligament injury from December, leaving the Spanish giants short on depth at centre-back as well.

The lack of defensive options has prompted Real to consider a signing in the January window for the first time since 2019, with Marca claiming that transfer talks have ‘intensified’ after Carvajal’s injury.

Real could move for Alexander-Arnold after Carvajal injury

Real’s last January signing was Brahim Diaz, who signed from Manchester City in January 2019 for €17 million, with club president Florentino Perez having ‘stopped believing’ in strengthening the squad mid-season.

But defensive reinforcements are now considered ‘urgent’ by Real, who were already exploring moves for left-footed centre-backs prior to Carvajal’s injury.

Marca insist that ‘there is no urgency’ at Real, with any arrival having to fit into the club’s economic plan and vision of being a ‘ten-year signing’.

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RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is considered the favourite to be targeted by Real, while Ajax’s Jorrel Hato is also admired along with Vitor Reis, although the Palmeiras youngster is right-footed.

At right-back, Real may look to accelerate plans to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold, having targeted him as a free transfer when his contract at Liverpool expires next summer.

Current ETV

Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold

D (R)

Liverpool

€28.1M

ETV Range

€21.1M - €35.1M

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However, all plans around Alexander-Arnold will depend on Liverpool’s desire to sell, something which may not be likely with the club topping the Premier League table after seven games.