Real Madrid could be prepared to break one of its long-standing transfer policies this winter, with Jose Mourinho potentially given the final say on whether the club enters the January market for a midfielder.

According to Defensa Central, Florentino Perez would be willing to make an exception to Real Madrid’s usual reluctance to sign players midway through a season if Mourinho concludes that his squad needs reinforcement.

Notably, there is no specific target at this stage, nor has the club begun actively searching for a midfielder. 

Hence, any move would depend on how Real Madrid perform over the coming months and Mourinho’s assessment of his options.

Mourinho could change Real Madrid’s January approach

It must be noted that Real Madrid have traditionally avoided the winter transfer window unless circumstances leave the club with little choice. 

The preference has been to work with the existing squad, promote from within or wait until the summer when a wider selection of players becomes available.

That policy could now be tested by Mourinho.

The Portuguese is expected to assess the balance of his midfield throughout the first half of the campaign, and if injuries, form or a lack of depth leave him short of options, he could ask Perez to consider an addition in January.

The president, according to the report, would be prepared to listen rather than automatically reject the request.

It is important to note that this does not mean Real Madrid are planning a January signing. Rather, the decision will only come into play if Mourinho identifies a genuine sporting need.

Perez will not sanction a signing just to add depth

Real Madrid’s hesitation over January transfers has traditionally been linked to the difficulty of finding the right player at the right price.

Clubs are understandably reluctant to lose important players in the middle of a campaign, while those who are available can command inflated fees. 

That makes the winter market particularly difficult for a club operating with Real Madrid’s sporting and financial expectations.

Perez is therefore not expected to approve a deal simply because Mourinho wants another body in midfield.

The player would need to offer an immediate solution while also making sense within the club’s longer-term planning.