Madrid's Spanish Super Cup against Barca is expected to hit the transfer market in January.
Is Real Madrid's predicament exceptional enough to warrant an exception? That is the question echoing through the halls of the Santiago Bernabéu since Barcelona's disastrous Spanish Super Cup win in Jeddah.
Real Madrid's lack of depth at right back
The problem is not Lucas Vázquez's performance at right-back, but a striking lack of depth in that position. There is no one there except the 33-year-old. While there is notable confidence in youngsters Lorenzo Aguado and Jesús Fortea, they are seen as long-term options.
After Sunday's heavy defeat against Barça, the debate about whether or not to enter the winter transfer market has intensified. Despite the differing opinions, there is a common view: if a contract is made, the priority would be a right-back, not a central defender.
Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid: latest update
Plan A remains Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Madrid pushing to sign the Liverpool star as much as possible. However, without significant spending, that seems like an impossible deal in January.
As a result, the club are now more open to finding a short-term solution: a right-back for the next six months, making an exception to their usual transfer policy.
But first the latest news about Alexander-Arnold. Spanish Super Cup week saw the pursuit of the England international put on the back burner, although it will now become a priority again.
As previously reported, Real Madrid made an attempt to sign him just before New Year's Eve. They gave Liverpool an ultimatum: take the money now or risk losing him for free this summer.
The amount offered did not exceed US$16 million, an amount that Madrid will not exceed further. However, that was not nearly enough to tempt the Premier League chiefs, who rejected the offer and indicated they had no intention of negotiating a price at the moment.
Despite this, the LaLiga giants are now considering the possibility of slightly increasing their offer, given the circumstances, to a possible $32 million. But the feeling is that the Reds won't let their right-back go in January, even for that amount.
Ancelotti: strengthening Real Madrid defense “necessary”
This is what has changed for Real Madrid: a week ago it was 'Alexander-Arnold or no one'. Now it is less clear.
The meetings took place internally. Although the decision to enter the market for a short-term solution has not yet been made, it is now an ongoing debate.
In the wake of the injury of first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal, coach Carlo Ancelotti informed the club several months ago that he believed reinforcements were needed.
But the Italian has never been one to make demands. On the contrary. He communicates simply… and gets to work. But he was faced with a harsh reality: the club believed that the situation could be managed until the summer, when they would sign someone. However, as the matches are over, the evidence is clear. The team has insufficient cover, at least in defence.
Real Madrid's technical staff considers it “necessary” to sign a right back in the January transfer window. They stay true to their nature and make no demands. But they will not hide their vision either. What is changing is that more and more voices within Real Madrid's top management agree with this position.
The door that was firmly closed is now slightly ajar. And options are being explored to fill that position for six months, assuming Liverpool remain inflexible towards Alexander-Arnold.
Which right-backs could Real Madrid sign in the January transfer window?
Álex Jiménez, Milan
The January transfer window is complex, but there are options. The club's favorites, Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Jeremy Frimpong (Bayern Leverkusen) and Denzel Dumfries (Inter), are too expensive. Madrid are willing to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of what they initially offered Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold: $11-16 million.
As long as the hunt for Alexander-Arnold continues, even before the summer, they do not want to sign a top player as this would leave a surplus in the medium term. That is why Real Madrid is open to the possibility of a loan.
Two names stand out: Milan's Álex Jiménez (a youth player sold to Milan, who they would try to bring back) and Chelsea's Reece James (long a target, but who at the age of 25 has been injured for almost 700 days; the club would need guarantees that he can perform for half a season before signing him).
Jiménez would be an almost perfect fit. The 19-year-old is the most expensively sold youth player in Real Madrid Castilla's history, with Milan paying $5.5 million for his services last summer. However, negotiations would be necessary.
Juanlu Sánchez, Seville
Another very attractive option is Sevilla right-back Juanlu Sánchez, who is currently not guaranteed a starting jersey in Andalusia. A player with great attacking potential and who is also solid defensively. The 21-year-old was already seen as an option for the summer if the deal between Alexander and Arnold became complicated.
Rayo Vallecano's Romanian full-back Andrei Ratiu is a similar type of player and is being watched, although he is not preferred by Madrid.
A third LaLiga option is Real Sociedad's Jon Aramburu. Madrid are admirers of the Venezuelan, although it seems impossible that they can sign him for $11-16 million.
Serge Aurier, free agent
The search has also expanded to more experienced players: Inter defender Benjamin Pavard is attractive because of his versatility, as he can also play as a central defender, although he would cost more than Madrid's budget. Former PSG and Spurs right-back Serge Aurier is a free agent, but the 32-year-old has struggled to stay fit in recent seasons.
When does the January transfer window close?
In any case, no decision has been made yet. But the wind seems to have changed since Jeddah. What was clear is no longer so. The technical staff has no doubt that signing a right back in January is “necessary”, but the board is not so convinced. However, they are almost unanimous in deciding that there will be no major spending this winter. If it is signed, it will have to be a cheap signature, or even a loan.
The January transfer window closes on Monday, February 3 at 5:59 PM ET. Madrid have until then to decide whether or not their situation is exceptional enough to warrant an exception.
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