Real Madrid Transfer News: Top Names Reportedly Targeted by Los Blancos

With Barcelona set to suffer the effects of a transfer ban and Atletico Madrid recovering from the loss of several key players, Real Madrid have an golden opportunity to reassert their dominance in Spanish football.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team saw myriad changes this summer, with Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso leaving, with the stellar names of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos being drafted in to replace them. And while a period of subtle adaptation is unavoidable, there’s an undeniable chance to steal a march on the rest of their La Liga challengers.

One way of expediting that process is to refine the squad in January and already we’ve seen some top names touted as potential targets for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit. Here are a few of the latest players rumoured to be on Ancelotti’s hit-list.

Robin van Persie

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Perhaps not content with getting one Manchester United striker on board—Javier Hernandez signed for Madrid on loan this summer—Los Blancos could raid United’s forward line once again in January, reports suggest.

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FIFA agent Francois Gallardo (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Express) has claimed that Van Persie will be Real Madrid’s top target in January, and the European Champions are already putting together a £20 million package.

According to the piece, the arrival of Radamel Falcao has cast doubt on Van Persie’s role at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, the Dutch forward is seemingly excited by the challenge posed by the Red Devils’ new acquisitions, per FourFourTwo:

"

I can't wait to go and train and play with the world class players we have signed – wow.

That feeling, that we are going to perform well has only got stronger after the buying of players over the last weeks. I find it very exciting, the arrival of all those new players.

For me personally, it's brilliant to go and play with some of the best players in the world. It's great that I can go and train and play with them every day.

"

Indeed, there are a few facets to this potential deal that would make it a very unlikely one. From a United perspective it would be extremely misguided to cash in on one of their four strikers, especially when they look primed to play in a system that caters for two forwards. And when one of those forwards is only on loan, it’d make the potential decision to sell even more peculiar.

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Van Gaal is a massive fan of the player too, and after working the former Arsenal forward in the Dutch setup he’ll be acutely aware of his goalscoring qualities, per WhoScored.com:

For the Spanish giants, it’d also be bad business to go after Van Persie. The Dutchman remains a quality striker, but would Madrid really spend £20 million on a forward who is now 31 years old? At this juncture, it seems it's very doubtful.

Glen Johnson

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The full-back’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of this current campaign, and although he’s endured some torrid form in the red shirt as of late, some of Europe’s most illustrious names—including Real Madrid—are interested in his services.

According to reports in Europe (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Express), both Madrid and Juventus would be willing to take Johnson off Liverpool’s hands at the end of the season, or for a nominal fee in January.

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Johnson has been an integral part of the Liverpool setup since his big-money move from Portsmouth in 2009, but as he’s approached 30, his stock seems to have fallen dramatically. The England man remains a major threat when he makes those forward advances, but occasionally, he’s nothing short of shambolic in his defensive duties.

He's had a very poor start to this season too, as noted here by Squawka:

If Ancelotti wants a full-back that can push forward in support of Gareth Bale down the right-hand side, then Johnson could do a decent job. But at the moment, Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa, players a little more understated and switched on defensively, provide a pleasing dynamic down that flank.

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With a host of attacking players in this squad, it’s vital Madrid maintain a defensive balance too. Johnson is not a player who’ll be able to give them that.

Christoph Kramer

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The European Champions are just one of a long list of clubs reportedly interested in the 23-year-old German midfielder, who impressed plenty with his performances both in the World Cup an on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach last season.

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With his contract with parent club Bayer Leverkusen due to expire at the end of the season, there are plenty of sides across the continent who will fancy a cut-price deal, and according to reports in Italy (h/t football-espana.net) Real Madrid are one of them.

If Ancelotti was to bring Kramer to the Bernabeu on for a nominal fee or on a free transfer, then it’d represent a very astute piece of business. The German is a wonderfully balanced midfielder, one that marries poise and physicality with vibrant aplomb.

Here he is scoring a stunning goal back in 2012, courtesy of Cristian Nyari:

Kramer is a player that’s showcased an ability to adapt and flourish at every level he’s played, and given his fine temperament, there’s little to suggest he wouldn’t do the same at the Bernabeu.

Having lost Xabi Alonso, Madrid are somewhat short in terms of orthodox holding midfield players. Kramer would be a cheap addition and a player that could eventually heap some serious pressure to his compatriot Sami Khedira for a spot in the starting XI.