Real Madrid News
Real Madrid looking for a short-term defensive solution in January, have other plans for summer
The winter transfer market commences in less than a week, and there is no club waiting for it as desperately as Real Madrid.
Los Blancos hope to reinforce the team’s defence in January after David Alaba’s season-ending injury and have been linked to several top defenders in recent days.
Concurrently, however, Los Blancos see the centre-back position to be in need of a long-term successor. After all, Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are both on the wrong side of thirty, leaving Eder Militao as the only long-term option.
With top centre-backs not available mid-season, the men in white cannot hit two birds with one stone. It thus appears that they have found a workaround to meet both objectives.
A strategic signing
As revealed by El Chiringuito, Real Madrid want to sign a defender in January only for the short term. They will only rope in the player on loan for six months, for they already have a bigger signing planned for the summer.
It must be noted that Los Blancos have already plans to sign Kylian Mbappe and even Alphonso Davies in the summer transfer window.
And it appears that a new long-term central defender also seems to be on the club’s agenda for July 2024.
The team’s long-term target appears to be Lille’s teenage star Leny Yoro. The Ligue 1 starlet has been one of his team’s standout players this season and has established himself as a regular starter for Paulo Fonseca’s side at just 18 years of age.
It is expected that Lille demand €50 million for his signing in the summer, but the race will not be easy with the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich also vying for his signature.
The short-term fix
Real Madrid have several options on their radar including Goncalo Inacio, Robert Renan and Raphael Varane. However, their stance of signing a player only for six months could fizzle out the interest from the aforementioned parties.
Los Blancos may thus have to turn to lesser-known names and fringe players of top European sides. Mario Gila, Lazio’s 23-year-old centre-back and a former Real Madrid starlet, has emerged as a promising option in recent hours.
As a graduate of Real Madrid Castilla, he is well-versed with the club’s ideology and may the the ideal choice as a short-term fix.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
