It is not to Real Madrid’s liking, but, as we have been reporting in MARCA, the club’s sporting management has already been looking for possible operations that could be carried out in the upcoming January transfer window. With what has been seen in recent matches, it has become a matter of utmost urgency. The imbalance of some positions in the squad invited the need to shake things up, but the recent results and the evidence of what is seen on the pitch makes it clear that these reinforcements are more than necessary.

Within the analysis already made previously to Milan’s debacle, the priority was marked in the right-back position, a move that was already being considered for the summer of 2025, but with Carvajal’s injury, it has become a necessity. This position is left with only Lucas Vazquez as a specialist until mid-July.

The tests carried out with Militao in this position at Valdebebas have not convinced, as they do not see it as a good idea to put the pressure on Fortea to become the first team’s right-back in a situation like this. They want to give him time and let him finish his development beyond the matches in the Youth League

All eyes on Alexander-Arnold

The target seems clear and it is none other thanAlexander-Arnold. Or at least that seemed to be the case for the;summer 2025 market. The problem comes when the urgency leads to looking at January and Liverpool is not a club in economic need. They have a reliable replacement in; Connor Bradley, but they have no intention, at least for now, of selling any of their players who are out of contract. There are three: the full-back, Van Dijk and Salah. The idea is that two of them will continue at the current Champions League leaders, but they also know that from January 1 they can commit to any team and start packing their bags for when the season ends.

The situation has led to the Liverpool full-back being seen as a necessity, but the operation does not seem to be straightforward. What has been seen in recent matches makes it necessary to think of the Englishman or some other heavyweight alternative. Carvajal’s character and competitive spirit is something that cannot be bought, but it is possible to provide the team with balance in a position that has been left in a bad way after the injury to the fourth-placed player in the Ballon d’Or. Lucas Vazquez alone is not enough to cope with what remains of the season.

Other positions to be reinforced

The centre-back position is the other one that worries the club, even more so than filling the void left by Toni Kroos’ departure. That will come in the summer of 2025, a circumstance that was not analysed in 2024. Nobody thought about strengthening that position. Rodri, now the Ballon d’Or winner, was not discussed. It was thought and hoped that some players such as Valverde, Tchouameni and Camavinga would take a step forward in making sense of the game, but it has not happened. In a few months’ time, the market will be looked at for a more organised profile.

While Alaba is already putting on his boots and with questions ahead when it comes to certifying his return, Real Madrid were looking at the market for a central defender and still are, but the absolute priority has become the right-back position. Lukeba is the main candidate for the center of defense, but not the only one they are considering for next season. The defender has renewed his contract with RB Leipzig, but has not closed the exit door.