Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos eyeing new midfielder, Trent Alexander-Arnold move unlikely in January, and more - November 7, 2024
Real Madrid have to go back to the drawing board following two back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and AC Milan. Carlo Ancelotti's team will next face Osasuna in LaLiga on Saturday, November 7, 2024.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos are planning to reinforce their midfield in 2025. Elsewhere, Liverpool are ready to take Aurelien Tchouameni to Anfield.
On that note, let's look at the major Real Madrid transfer stories from November 7, 2024.
Real Madrid eyeing new midfielder
According to MARCA, Real Madrid are planning to bolster their midfield next summer. The LaLiga giants opted against signing a replacement for Toni Kroos, who retired this summer. That decision has come back to haunt them.
Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga were expected to fill the void left behind by the legendary German. However, none of them have lived up to the task, with Los Blancos suffering due to the absence of a pass master in the team.
Luka Modric remains a solution, but the Croatian will turn 40 next year and can no longer be asked to play day in and day out. The situation has prompted Real Madrid to turn to the market and they want to bring in an able replacement for Toni Kroos next summer.
For now, the club expect Carlo Ancelotti to make do with the options at his disposal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold move unlikely in January
According to MARCA, Real Madrid are unlikely to secure a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January. The LaLiga giants are long-term admirers of the English right-back, whose contract with Liverpool expires at the end of this season.
It was previously suggested that Los Blancos were plotting a Bosman move for Alexander-Arnold next summer. However, the recent injury to Dani Carvajal may have accelerated the club's plans.
The Spanish full-back picked up an ACL injury at the beginning of October and is not expected to return to action this season. Real Madrid initially wanted to trust Lucas Vazquez to fill in for the 32-year-old for the rest of the campaign.
However, they want to move for Alexander-Arnold in January to address the situation. Unfortunately, Liverpool have no desire to let the 26-year-old leave in the winter, as they try to tie him down to a new deal. They are even willing to risk losing him for free next summer.
Los Blancos battling Liverpool for Castello Lukeba
Real Madrid will face competition from Liverpool in the race to sign Castello Lukeba, according to Todo Fichajes. The French central defender has enjoyed a stunning rise with RB Leipzig and has turned heads at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos are looking for a new defender after missing out on Leny Yoro, who joined Manchester United from Lille this summer. Meanwhile, David Alaba is yet to return to full fitness from the ACL injury he picked up last year.
Antonio Rudiger is also on the wrong side of 30, while Nacho Fernandez left this summer to move to the Middle East. The LaLiga giants have identified Lukeba as an option to address the issue, but Liverpool also have their eyes on the 21-year-old.
The Reds apparently believe he could be a possible successor for Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires next summer. Lukeba has a €90m release clause in his deal so he won't come cheap.