Five players who could join Real Madrid in January

Tom Weber

Updated: 21 Dec 2024 09:38 GMT
5 min read

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Real Madrid are in urgent need of a defensive overhaul.

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Long-term injuries to David Alaba, Eder Militao (twice!) and Dani Carvajal have shown Los Blancos just how vulnerable their backline really is. This season, Real Madrid have had to promote players from their Castilla reserve side to plug the gaps left by the sidelined senior players.

One of the LaLiga champions' main goals for the 2025 transfer windows will be to bolster their defensive options. A left-back, a centre-back and a right-back are targeted by the club.

READ MORE: Real Madrid top scorers 2024/25

Despite this, Real Madrid have been adamant that they will not make any signings in the 'unpredictable' January window, though this may simply be a ploy to make them look in a position from the perspective of selling clubs. Even after winning the Intercontinental Cup, it is clear they need reinforced. Carlo Ancelotti's side conceded two against Atalanta in the Champions League then three against Real Valladolid in LaLiga.

Below, FootballTransfers looks at five players Real Madrid could sign in January...

Miguel Gutierrez (Girona)

Let's start at left-back where Real Madrid find themselves in a tricky position. Despite Ferland Mendy and, more recently, Fran Garcia doing adequate jobs in that position, the club have been determined to sign an upgrade for that position.

Alphonso Davies is the top target but the latest reports coming out of Germany suggest that he is, surprisingly, close to extending his Bayern Munich contract, potentially ruining a transfer that has been in the works for the best part of a year.

Therefore, alternatives have to be considered and one of the most popular options would be Girona left-back Miguel Gutierrez. A former Los Blancos prospect, the club have an €8 million buy-back clause, which makes this deal almost a no-brainer.

Due to the price involved, Gutierrez could realistically be a January reinforcement, though it is unclear whether his clause is active in January. Manchester United are also in the running to sign him.

Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

Finding a potential centre-back reinforcement for the club was tricky because Real Madrid are intent on bringing in several free agents next year. One of them is Jonathan Tah, the national team partner of Blancos star Antonio Rudiger.

Out of contract at Bayer Leverkusen, Tah is free to negotiate with interested clubs in January and Real Madrid view him as a priority option for the centre of defence.

The problem is that Barcelona do too and their El Clasico rivals may have already beaten Real to the punch. Sporting director Deco has held a very positive meeting with the player and his agent Pini Zahavi in which massive progress regarding a potential deal was made.

However, the pre-contract can't officially be signed until the January window opens, still enabling a potential hijack. If Real Madrid agreed to pay a bit more, they could even bring him in in January, although it is understood that Bayer Leverkusen would, as things stand, rather lose him for nothing in the summer than for a fee already in the winter.

Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)

Staying with the German champions for now, another player on Real Madrid's radar is Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutchman is a name under consideration for the right-back position as an alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Dalot, who will both be going nowhere in the winter.

Frimpong is known to be keen on moving in 2025 and has a €40m release clause, though it is doubtful that it will be active in January. There are also concerns over the wing-back's defensive capabilities in a back four.

Still, Frimpong could be a viable January target if certain pieces fall into place.

Pedro Porro (Tottenham)

Another right-back who could potentially be tempted into a winter move is Pedro Porro. The Tottenham full-back has been on Real's radar for some time and previously admitted that he is honoured to be linked with the club.

With Spurs in the midst of a mixed season, the Spaniard may be willing to jump ship. Still, it seems a long shot, especially since he would surely not come cheap.

Nevertheless, Porro is a more realistic January target than the aforementioned Alexander-Arnold and Dalot.

Juanlu Sanchez (Sevilla)

The most realistic January reinforcement for Los Blancos could be a man much closer to home. Sevilla right-back Juanlu is said to have emerged on the club's radar despite his comparatively limited minutes so far this term.

The 21-year-old was a regular at right-back for the Andalusians last season, but he has been much more of a utility man in 2024/25, filling in all over the pitch, primarily in midfield.

In a way, he is reminiscent of Real Madrid star Federico Valverde, who has played at right-back and in central midfield. Having another player like the Uruguayan with a lot of potential upside surely can't hurt.

The Olympic gold medalist's contract expires in 2026 and he is thought to have a release clause worth just €20m, which makes him a very attractive commodity.