The 2023/24 season for Real Madrid has taken an unexpected turn, largely due to the surprising challenge posed by Girona, who have maintained a lead in the La Liga title race longer than anticipated.
Madrid have asserted their dominance, securing a seven-point lead over current champions Barcelona by the winter break. Moreover, they've clinched victories in all six games in their Champions League group. However, there's a sense that some adjustments could yield greater results in the latter part of the season.
Uncertainty looms over Carlo Ancelotti's future with Los Blancos, contributing to a less than wholly optimistic atmosphere surrounding Madrid. Nonetheless, the progress made in the first half of the campaign should be acknowledged compared to the previous season.
In January, Madrid may look to address specific areas and potentially target certain players for reinforcement.
Striker
Any significant club seeking a new striker will be acutely aware that Madrid are in a similar situation and possess an almost unrivalled attracting power. Ancelotti's squad clearly has a gap due to Karim Benzema's departure.
Joselu, brought in as a temporary solution, has performed adequately. However, Madrid is eager for a prominent new striker, not just to score goals but also to unleash the full potential of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who have been forced to adopt narrower roles in the 2023/24 season.
Primary Targets
Madrid's primary attacking target is Kylian Mbappe. Although not a traditional central striker, the Paris Saint-Germain forward could have the team tailored to suit his style. The prospect of linking up with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo is tremendously exciting. This transfer saga resurfaces every window, with sustained interest from Madrid.
Additionally, Madrid has been linked with Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, who has impressed over the last 18 months. However, competition from other European clubs exists. Names like Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez are also on Madrid's radar.
Left-Back
Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia are Madrid's two main choices on the left side of defence. Mendy has diligently recovered from injury but hasn't quelled the rumours regarding the need for a new left-back.
Garcia has performed well when called upon this season. However, at 24 years old, there might be limited room for further development. It's no surprise that Madrid has recently been associated with left-backs.
Primary Targets
Among the 'superstar left-backs,' Alphonso Davies stands out as the prime candidate for Madrid. The Canadian has only 18 months left on his contract with Bayern Munich, and interest from the Bernabeu is evident.
Although Premier League clubs are also interested, Madrid leads the race, and the 23-year-old reportedly desires a move to Spain. Interestingly, Madrid has also been linked with right-backs like Reece James and Arnau Martinez.
Centre-Back
There's a shortage of depth at centre-back for Madrid, considering they're expected to contend for every tournament.
Eder Militao's injury has meant frequent pairing of David Alaba with Antonio Rudiger in the 2023/24 season. However, Alaba's recent severe anterior cruciate ligament injury has further depleted Los Blancos' defensive options.
Club captain Nacho Fernandez can anticipate playing numerous games, and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been utilized out of position. Nonetheless, they require another player who can step in and contribute while others regain full fitness.
Primary Target
Madrid is rumoured to pursue a reunion with Man Utd's Raphael Varane. The French defender spent a significant portion of his career with the Spanish side, but rumours of a fallout with Erik ten Hag might pave the way for his departure.
Beyond Varane, there's a limited indication of Madrid's next target for this role. They might consider pursuing Daley Blind from Girona, potentially weakening their biggest competition for the La Liga title this season.
