Real Madrid Transfer News: Rumours Surrounding Blancos' January Window Plans
The rumour mill is working overtime regarding Real Madrid's potential January transfers, with Los Blancos' aggressive transfer strategy and seemingly unlimited funds always fuelling the imaginations of fans and pundits alike.
Carlo Ancelotti's squad has been in impressive form lately, and there likely won't be many high-profile arrivals in January. That isn't holding back speculation, however, with some truly spectacular ideas being thrown around.
Here's the latest transfer buzz surrounding Los Blancos.
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Sami Khedira
Fans have grown tired of hearing about Sami Khedira's future, and according to Fichajes (h/t to Metro), the speculation might soon be coming to an end. The German international is rumoured to have come to personal terms with Arsenal, who will now discuss a transfer fee with Los Blancos.
It's not uncommon for players to agree to personal terms before a transfer fee has been discussed, particularly when the player in question is in the final year of his contract. Khedira is free to sign a pre-contract with any team in January, and via Metro, there were already talks during the summer.
Asier Illarramendi looks like a far more developed player than he did last year, adding some depth to Los Blancos' central areas. Where previously it seemed like the safe play to keep Khedira until the end of the season, Ancelotti may now entertain the idea of a sale.
The central midfielder has hardly featured in 2014-15 (two substitute appearances, according to WhoScored.com) and holds some value in the January window, when other potential suitors will undoubtedly rival Arsenal for his signature.
If Real can hold out for a transfer fee of £7 million or more, it will be a massive improvement over the 27-year-old hardly playing for six more months and leaving the club on a free transfer.
The Daily Star's Jack Wilson claims Manchester United are planning a shock £85 million move for Wales international Gareth Bale, a target of the Red Devils before he completed his transfer to Real Madrid.
Wilson cites "Spanish sources" who believe Bale is having difficulties finding his place in the current Real starting XI, and Ancelotti may be unhappy with his defensive efforts, telling his coaching staff: "I only have one piece left to the puzzle and that is Bale."
The notion Los Blancos would entertain the idea of selling the 25-year-old 18 months after making him the most expensive player in the world, per the Daily Mirror, borders on absurdity.
The forward scored 15 goals and added 12 assists during his first La Liga campaign at the Bernabeu, via WhoScored, and he started to justify his lofty price tag in the latter part of the season.
His headed goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and this stunner that won the Copa del Rey against Barcelona were arguably the team's most important goals of the season:
There's no question United would be interested in bringing Bale back to England, but the chances of Los Blancos actually selling the Welsh star are virtually non-existent.
Javier Pastore
The Daily Express' Anthony Chapman believes Ancelotti could turn to one of his former star midfielders to potentially replace Isco, in the form of Paris Saint-Germain's Javier Pastore.
Arsenal and Liverpool are said to be keen on Isco, and his departure would create a void in midfield that could be filled by the 27-year-old former Palermo man.
Pastore has developed into a solid player for PSG after a rocky start to life in the French capital filled with ups and downs. And while he doesn't have Isco's superstar potential, he would make for a very serviceable depth player and solid starter when the likes of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez are rested.
Any move for the Argentine would be contingent on the 22-year-old Spanish international leaving, however, and as of right now, there is nothing to suggest Isco wants a transfer. Ancelotti once again reiterated his importance to the squad, speaking with reporters ahead of the match against Athletic Bilbao, via Twitter:
There's already a bit of a logjam in the central areas for Los Blancos, with Isco, Kroos, Rodriguez, Illaramendi and Luka Modric vying for minutes. Adding another star midfielder only makes sense if one member of that group were to leave.
Isco's potential is far too great for Ancelotti to consider a sale in January, and the youngster has repeatedly made it clear he wants to stay in Madrid. As a result, don't expect to see Pastore don the iconic white kit anytime soon.
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