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Real Madrid’s 2024 January transfer window wishlist

Real Madrid’s 2023/24 campaign has been an unusual one so far, mainly due to the surprise challenge of Girona who have managed to lead the La Liga title race much longer than anyone would have expected.

Madrid have been powerful enough to establish a seven-point lead over current champions Barcelona by the winter break, also winning all six games in their Champions League group, but there is a feeling that a few tweaks could bring more in the second half of the season.

The confusion around Carlo Ancelotti’s future with Los Blancos is another reason why the general vibe around Madrid is not overwhelmingly positive, but the first half of the campaign should be viewed as progress on last season.

Here are the areas Madrid may want to address in January and which players could be targeted.

Santiago Gimenez
Gimenez seems destined for a move / Soccrates Images/GettyImages
Any big club in search of a new striker will be very aware that Madrid are in the same boat and possess an almost unmatched pulling power. There is a clear gap in Ancelotti’s squad which was created by Karim Benzema’s departure.

Stop-gap signing Joselu has done a solid job so far but Madrid desire a new headline-making striker, not only to score goals but free up Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who have both had to play narrower than they would like in 2023/24 so far.

Key targets
The obvious attacking target for Madrid is Kylian Mbappe. While not a classic central striker, the Paris Saint-Germain forward would have the team moulded to his needs and the potential link-up with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius and Rodrygo is incredibly exciting. It’s a saga that reignites each transfer window and the interest remains.

Madrid have also been linked with Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez, who has been impressing over the past 18 months, but face competition from other clubs around Europe. Other names like Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez can never be ruled off Madrid’s radar.

Alphonso Davies
Davies could be on the market / Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/GettyImages
Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia are Madrid’s two clear options on the left of defence. The former has worked really hard to recover from injury but still hasn’t done enough to stop the rumours swirling over interest in a new left-back.

Garcia has done a good job when called upon this season but at 24 years old, there is realistically little more development to come. It’s no surprise Madrid have been linked with left-backs in recent weeks.

Key targets
As ‘superstar left-backs’ go, Alphonso Davies is the prime candidate for Madrid. The Canadian only has 18 months left on his current contract with Bayern Munich and there is known interest in him from the Bernabeu.

Premier League sides also want Davies but Madrid are the frontrunners and it’s believed the 23-year-old ultimately desires a move to Spain. Incidentally, Madrid have also been linked with right-backs recently, such as Reece James and Arnau Martinez.

Raphael Varane
There is a lack of depth at centre-back at Madrid when you consider it’s a team expected to win every tournament it enters.

The injury to Eder Militao meant David Alaba has partnered Antonio Rudiger frequently so far in 2023/24. However, Alaba has now suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury, leaving Los Blancos even shorter at the back.

Club captain Nacho Fernandez can expect to play plenty of games while midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has also been used out of position, but they need another body who can step in and do what is needed while other players get back to full fitness.

Key target
Madrid are rumoured to be chasing a reunion with Man Utd’s Raphael Varane. The French defender spent the bulk of his career with the Spanish side but after rumours of a fallout with Erik ten Hag, he could soon be on the move.

Beyond that, there are limited clues to who Madrid will target for this role. It might be worth their while to nab Daley Blind from Girona to weaken what seems to be their biggest opposition for the La Liga title this season.

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Transfers

17-Year-Old Nigeria-Eligible Defender Pens Professional Deal With Chelsea

17-Year-Old Nigeria-Eligible Defender Pens Professional Deal With Chelsea

The Eastbourne-born England defender recently turned 17 five days ago, and was given a professional contract by the Blues as a birthday present after joining from the Brighton and Hove Albion U-12 team a few years back.

Tayo started his career as a midfielder, but moved back to play central defence as he matured and has been a standout performer for the Chelsea U-18 squad, specifically known for his ability to command his teammates and play out from back with excellence.

Subuloye has represented England at the U-18 level, making his debut in October 2024, but is eligible to represent Nigeria. However, if he’ll be open to representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria is currently unknown at the moment.

“His performances this season have earned him recognition, and he is expected to play a significant role in Chelsea’s future defensive plans. Keep an eye on this rising star.

He is a talented footballer who is comfortable playing in various positions and adapts well to any intense situation,” Chelsea’s official website read after Subuloye penned his new deal.

The lanky defender was heavily involved in Chelsea’s U-16 Premier League campaign, captaining the side to the national final. He was also an important member of the U-17 side that won the League Cup before getting an invitation to the club’s U-18 side.

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Transfers

Real Madrid Decides Surprise Signing Of Former Player, Reports SPORT

Real Madrid Decides Surprise Signing Of Former Player, Reports SPORT

Real Madrid has decided to make a surprise signing according to SPORT, citing anonymous sources, which would see a “prodigal son” return to the Bernabeu if the transfer is completed.

Rafa Marin was sold to Napoli in the summer, for a €12 million fee which could reach up to €22 million depending on a series of variables.

As is common practice when offloading the products of its La Fabrica academy however, Madrid demonstrated wise business acumen by inserting buyback clauses into the terms and conditions of its deal with the Italian club.

This is known as the “Via Carvajal” or “Carvajal route” in Spain, in honor of the club legend right back Dani Carvajal currently out injured for what is expected to be the rest of the ongoing 2024/2025 after he ruptured his ACL among other things during a 2-0 La Liga win over Villarreal at the Bernabeu in early October.

The Euro 2024 winner with Spain and Ballon d’Or candidate was shipped out to Bayer Leverkusen on a five-season deal in 2012, yet brought back to his country’s capital after just a single season following an impressive breakout in the Bundesliga.

This is something that could happen sooner with Marin, and perhaps as early as the January transfer window which opens at the turn of 2025.

Carlo Ancelotti’s injury ravaged squad is particularly short on players in defense, with David Alaba yet to return from his own ACL knock and Eder Militao once again falling to the critical injury for the second time in two seasons.

While Raul Asencio has achieved Marin’s dream by being promoted to the first team fold from the Castilla amid Militao’s setback, Toni Rudiger remains the only senior center back Ancelotti can call upon and he is often partnered with defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as of late.

Snapping up Marin is a case of the sooner the better, because of the interesting way that the transfer was hashed out.

Madrid made sure to include a $27.1 million (€25 million) buy back clause which can be exercised in 2026, but that then rises to $37.9 million (€35 million) in 2027.

Yet if Napoli pays an additional $10.8 million (€10 million) next year, those clauses double to $54.2 million (€50 million) in 2026 and $75.8 million (€70 million) in 2027.

As Marin’s move to Napoli hasn’t gone as planned, though, the thinking is that he can be picked up on the cheap and perhaps for something around the price the Serie A giant originally paid for the 21-year-old considering he is still yet to make his debut for it.

 

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Transfers

Czech Giants Slavia Praha Sign David Moses Until 2029

Czech Giants Slavia Praha Sign David Moses Until 2029

Twenty-year-old Nigerian midfielder David Moses has signed a contract with top club Slavia Praha from another Czech club MFK Karviná.

Slavia Praha announced Moses has signed a contract until December 31, 2029.

“David is an extremely interesting player, proven in the Czech league, many clubs were interested in him, not only from the Czech Republic,” said sports director Jiri Bilek.

“We believe that he will fit perfectly into our playing style. This is a great promise for the future.”.

The player himself was equally excited about the new challenge.

“It’s a big step for me, a big challenge. I’m going to the best team in the Czech Republic,” he said.

“I want to make a name for myself, help the club. I haven’t played in Eden (Slavia home ground) yet, but I’ve heard a lot about the fans. I’m looking forward to playing in front of them.”

Moses joined the Karviná academy in March 2022, played his first ever competitive match for the A-team against Slavia in the round of 16 of the domestic cup, and the team won 2-0 on November 18 with goals from Olayinka and Lingro.

Karviná returned to the top flight at the end of the season after a one-year second-league hiatus, four points ahead of second-placed Vyškov.

The 171-centimeter-tall central midfielder made his league debut for MFK on July 22, 2023 in the first round against Zlín. In the 2023/24 season, he played in 25 matches and helped Karviná survive in the top flight after successfully managing the play-off against Vyškov.

He played 13 matches this season and helped his club reach eleventh place in the table.

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