Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
As the January transfer window looms, Real Madrid are handed the opportunity to enhance the level of a squad that is perennially in pursuit of excellence.
While Los Blancos maintain first position in La Liga, injuries and absences in certain departments of the squad have held the team from reaching its full potential.
As such, the January transfer window offers Real Madrid the ideal opportunity to reinforce areas of the squad with temporary loan acquisitions.
Taking a look at some hypothetical operations the club can pursue this January, here are three players that would help alleviate the deficiencies at Real Madrid.
Goncalo Inacio | Sporting
Real Madrid are searching the market for young defenders due to their aging backline and Eder Militao’s extended injury absence.
Moreover, reports have previously argued that the Real Madrid hierarchy has reportedly determined that adding more players to the back line is a top priority going forward.
Consequently, the arrival of Goncalo Inacio would prove to be a major boost for Real Madrid’s short and long-term objectives.
The Merengues were already pursuing Inacio during the summer of last year, but Sporting CP managed to prolong the player’s contract until 2027, raising his buyout option to €60 million.
Still, reports have argued that the Portuguese club would be open to a transfer in the upcoming winter market and may especially help facilitate a deal if Real Madrid acquires him on a loan with an obligation to buy.
Inacio’s acquisition makes sense, as without Militao guarding the back line, Real Madrid have lacked a shrewd distributive presence in defense.
The defender excels with build-up responsibilities entrusted to him as he is not only a reliable passer capable of breaking lines; but also an adventurous ball carrier.
However, defensively, he is equally dominant. The 21-year-old has a tall frame, which he expertly avails to thwart threatening crosses. Moreover, Inacio’s defensive diligence is seen in his mature positioning in counter-attacking scenarios.
Noni Madueke | Chelsea
Real Madrid have been severely shorthanded in the attacking department this season. While Golden Boy winner Jude Bellingham has been a frequent source of goals, there is undeniably a lack of personnel in the front line.
As such, Real Madrid could make do with some fortifications up front, particularly on the right flank.
Having joined Chelsea from PSV in the previous January winter transfer, Noni Madueke has the potential to emerge as a viable option for the Merengues this winter.
While he endured a topsy-turvy spell and has recently struggled to get a consistent run of games, Madueke has established himself as an explosive right-winger, who stood out as a remarkable dribbler in the Eredivisie.
With Real Madrid in need of a natural right-winger, Madueke perfectly fit the ball.
Despite repeatedly being excluded at club level, for the under-21 English national team, his output has been incredible as he has been one of the notable performers in the U21 Euro qualification rounds.
In five games this season, he has notched five goal contributions, with three goals and two assists.
When it comes to his play style, Madueke favors cutting inside from the right, taking on players, or playing provider from the right half-space. The 21-year-old’s creativity is an overlooked aspect of his gameplay.
As Chelsea continue to favor Mikhaylo Mudryk in the starting XI and deprive him of regular appearances, a loan move could certainly be on the cards.
And if Real Madrid come calling, the player would unlikely turn down such a massive opportunity, especially with the chance of partnering up with Jude Bellingham, his English compatriot.
Chimy Avila | Osasuna
Keeping Real Madrid’s depletions in the front line in mind, a striker who can nail a first-sub position and rotate with Joselu would take away a lot of the scoring burden currently bestowed on some of the players in the squad.
Plying his trade for 14th-placed Osasuna in La Liga, Chimy Avila is one of the club’s top players and a diamond in the rough with an eye for goal that has particularly helped him stand out.
The Argentinean is incredibly astute in the final third of the game with his off-ball movements allowing him to slip into unguarded territory. Blindside runs and runs-in-behind allow him to attack the opposition box frequently.
Avila possesses exceptional intelligence in both moving and controlling the ball, which helps him create or score goals.
Admittedly, Osasuna would not easily budge for a loan deal with the player possessing a reported €30 million release clause.
Nonetheless, if Madrid hypothetically choose to pursue him permanently, €20-30 million for Osasuna would go a long way and they can sort out a replacement in January itself.
