Real Madrid have been forced to enter the winter transfer market in search of a new central defender after losing Eder Militao to a season-ending injury.
Real Madrid tend to do the majority of their transfer business in the summer, and they have not made any signings in the winter window since they landed Reinier Jesus at the start of 2020. But, it seems Real Madrid are left with no choice other than to enter the market at the turn of the year after losing Eder Militao to a long-term knee injury.
While the game against Osasuna did go according to plan as Los Blancos returned to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats at the Bernabeu, it came at a massive cost as Rodrygo, Lucas Vazquez and Eder Militao picked up injuries.
Rodrygo and Vazquez will return to action in a few weeks. But Militao is all set to be out for a while as he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He won’t be back until the summer of 2025, and it is a massive blow for the Brazilian who had recovered from an ACL tear in his left leg towards the end of last season.
The injury to Eder Militao has left Carlo Ancelotti in a very difficult situation as Antonio Rudiger and Jesus Vallejo are the only two central defenders available to the Real Madrid manager. David Alaba last featured for Los Blancos in December 2023. The Austrian has not recovered from his own ACL injury and won’t be back until the start of 2025.
17-year-old defender Joan Martinez, who was expected to have an important role in the first team, picked up an ACL injury before the start of the season, and he might not return until March. 21-year-old Raul Asencio stepped up to help Los Blancos in the game against Espanyol, and he will continue to be a part of the senior side.
But, the Merengues still lack the needed quality and depth to challenge the best teams. As a result, Los Blancos could look at the winter transfer window to sign someone who can help cope with Militao’s loss. Here are three players Real Madrid could push for in January.
Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for a while now, and those rumours have intensified following the injury to Eder Militao. Laporte left Manchester City to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the summer of 2023.
The 30-year-old has been one of their most consistent performers, and he surely has quite a few years left him. While his contract at the Saudi Pro League club runs until the summer of 2026, recent reports have suggested that he is considering terminating his deal to facilitate a return to Europe.
A move to Real Madrid will be the best possible way for him to return, and a report has suggested that Los Blancos can sign him for around €15-20 million during the winter transfer window. But, Laporte will have to lower his wage demands to get this over the line.
Since he is only 30, the left-footed Spanish centre-back could be a great signing for the next few seasons. Real MAdrid did consider signing him in the summer and now look all set to launch an assault on Al-Nassr.
Jonathan Tah
Jonathan Tah’s contract at Bayer Leverkusen runs out at the end of the season, and he has made it quite clear that he won’t pen a new deal. The 28-year-old wants to try a new challenge. With him set to leave the club for free, Real Madrid could look to offer the German club a different alternative by offering a fee to sign him in the winter transfer window.
The German international has made a name for himself with his consistent performances for Xabi Alonso’s team. He did wonders for them last season as they ended up winning the Bundesliga unbeaten. While he remains a key figure under Alonso, the opportunity to raise funds could tempt Leverkusen to sell him mid-season.
But, it won’t be that straightforward for Los Blancos to lure him as multiple Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, have their eyes set on the Bayer Leverkusen mainstay. Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona have also been linked with the experienced German international.
Vitor Reis
Real Madrid’s scouting network always tend to have an eye on exciting young talents who are coming up the ranks in clubs across South America, and they seem to have found another jewel in Vitor Reis.
The teenage defensive sensation has come up the ranks at Palmeiras, and he was promoted to the first team in the summer. He has already made a name for himself with his consistent performances for their senior side.
While Real Madrid ideally would have tried to sign him in the summer, they could knock on Palmeiras’ door in the winter. Signing him won’t be easy as he has a massive €100 million release clause and with his contract running until the end of 2028, the Brazilian club will not let him leave on the cheap.
Los Blancos could even face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea, who have scouted the youngster in the recent past. The teenager might not be a like-for-like replacement for Militao, but he can add depth and his potential suggests he could be a great signing for the long run.
Will Ramos return?
Sergio Ramos is currently a free agent and following Militao’s injury quite a few reports have linked him with a move back to the club. While he could be a great short-term fix, Real Madrid do not prefer going back to players who they have parted ways with. Their priority will be to sort the situation out with the help of their academy players until the turn of the calendar when they can try and sign their targets.
Other long-term targets
Real Madrid have been constantly linked with the likes of Cristian Romero, Alessandro Bastoni, and Castello Lukeba. While all three of them are quite high on their wishlist, and they could be just the perfect replacement for Militao, neither of them will be available in the winter transfer window.
Given how important they are to their current teams, Los Blancos will have to wait until next summer and then try to sign them by forking out a massive transfer fee.