Carlo Ancelotti set to hand 24-year-old star new role as Real Madrid make January transfer decision: Reports
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly set to use France international Aurelien Tchouameni as a centre-back in the second half of the 2024-25 season. The club has reportedly decided against signing any centre-backs in the January transfer window.
Los Blancos have had to deal with a severe injury crisis this season and have only two fit senior centre-backs, Antonio Rudiger and Jesus Vallejo. Academy graduate Raul Asencio is the third option, but this depth can hardly sustain them for the remainder of the campaign.
Recent reports have linked Real Madrid to a number of centre-backs in the January transfer window, but a report from Relevo has rubbished those claims. The report claims that the 15-time European champions will not look to sign any new defenders, or any new players at all, in January.
Carlo Ancelotti has had French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni fill in at centre-back in the past, notably doing so in the 2023-24 season. The Italian tactician is now set to revive that tactic during the second half of the ongoing campaign.
Tchouameni is currently sidelined with an ankle sprain he picked up earlier this month, and is expected to return to action before the new year. The ability of the 24-year-old to fill in at centre-back, coupled with the impending return to action of David Alaba from a lengthy layoff, has inspired the club's decision to not sign any defenders.
Real Madrid youngster wanted by multiple sides in January - Reports
Real Madrid youngster Endrick is a target for a number of club in January, who could offer him regular game time. The Brazil international has had to be content with a bit-part role since completing his summer move to the Spanish giants due to the presence of Kylian Mbappe up front.
According to SPORT, a number of sides have approached Real Madrid to sign Endrick on loan. Serie A outfit AS Roma, Spanish side Real Valladolid, and Premier League's Southampton are some of the sides reported to have indicated their interest in the 18-year-old.
Endrick enjoyed a dream start to life in Real Madrid colours, scoring in his LaLiga and UEFA Champions League debuts, becoming their youngest goalscorer in the Champions League. The youngster has only featured once, for 15 minutes, in his side's last five games, and has made ten appearances this season, playing 122 minutes in total. Still only 18, he appears to be willing to bide his time at the Spanish giants, and is in no hurry to head out on loan.