Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Sami Khedira, Lucas Silva and More

There are more than two months left before the January transfer window opens, but clubs such as Real Madrid are already positioning themselves to be successful as soon as the wheeling and dealing starts.

Los Blancos had a busy summer and aren't expected to be major players in January, but with Florentino Perez calling the shots, fans will expect at least one big deal before the window closes.

Let's have a look at the latest rumours surrounding the club, as well as what one former player had to say about Real and his new team.

Sami Khedira to Be Used in Arturo Vidal Swap?

Jose Ignacio Unanue/Associated Press

Italian newspaper Tuttosport (h/t Football-Italia) claims free-agent-to-be Sami Khedira could be used to lure Arturo Vidal away from Juventus.

The 27-year-old Germany international is expected to leave Real when his contract runs out in June, so settling the midfielder's situation will be Los Blancos' top priority in January. Florentino Perez would prefer to move him on in the transfer window rather than let him walk for free in the summer.

A number of clubs are already looking at a January move, and Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes his former club should be at the front of the line, as he told the Daily Telegraph (h/t Inside Spanish Football's Tom Conn):

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The quality is there but you need more, maybe [someone] like Yaya Toure in middle. He reminds me of Patrick Vieira, maybe they have an opportunity with Khedira. It is likely in the January window. He played very well with Germany. My advice is if he can buy Khedira he can be the [new] Vieira, more aggression in the middle. He has a lot of experience. When you play in the middle you need experience, especially when your midfield is young like Arsenal’s.

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The high level of interest in his services, coupled with his contract situation, makes it unlikely Juventus would agree to a deal involving Arturo Vidal, one of their most prized assets. The Bianconeri held out for a high fee for the Chilean during the summer—they would likely do the same again this time around.

Khedira holds little value in any form of swap deal: Juventus could approach him with a contract in January and wait six months for his arrival. 

Julio Baptista Backs Lucas Silva to Succeed at the Bernabeu

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Former Blanco and current Cruzeiro forward Julio Baptista told Marca (h/t to Inside Spanish Football's Jen Evelyn) his teammate and reported Real transfer target Lucas Silva would fit in well with the Champions League holders, saying:

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If Real Madrid signed Lucas Silva, I think it would be a smart move. He’s a player who only needs two touches, it’s a quality that would see him adapt well to Spain or the Premier League. He plays with two touches, very fast, fit in well.

I think that he’s ready to make the jump to Europe and to a club like Real Madrid, but he’d need a period of adaptation, because it’s not an easy club to play in. But for the footballing qualities he has, there’s no doubt that he’d fit in well at Real Madrid. He’s full of virtues to triumph.

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The 21-year-old Brazilian has quickly established himself as one of the country's best young talents over the past 12 months, and he's reportedly Los Blancos No. 1 target to replace Khedira.

Like Khedira, Silva doesn't win battles in midfield with sheer strength, instead relying on his vision and awareness to stop attacks before they have a chance to develop. He's an incredible passer and a raw but talented dribbler with tremendous upside.

Brazilian football expert Zizouology is a fan:

Investing in top South American talent is never a bad idea, but the battle for minutes in the centre of the pitch could see the 21-year-old want for playing time in his first few years at the club.

Los Blancos will have to go into any negotiations with a plan, and a loan back to Cruzeiro might be the perfect solution for all parties involved.

Xabi Alonso Compares Real to Bayern Munich

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Xabi Alonso told Suddeutsche Zeitung (h/t Goal's Rupert Fryer) Bayern Munich was the only club he considered when pondering his future during the summer before comparing the Bavarians and Los Blancos to different music genres:

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Bayern [was] probably the only club I really wanted to join.

The construction of the play is very different [here]. At Real Madrid is everything is quicker, more direct...[Bayern] are more like Jazz, [whereas Real Madrid are like] Rock 'n' Roll.

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Fans and pundits immediately started analysing what the star midfielder meant with those words, but regardless of the intent, the analogy is spot on. Bayern play a slower game with more lateral passing; Real rely on pace and athleticism and tend to play the ball forward.

Both clubs have been wildly successful over the last few years, evidence that both philosophies have their respective merits. There's no reason one can't enjoy both Jazz and Rock 'n' Roll, and Alonso's excellent start to life in Germany and magnificent spell with Los Blancos indicates he has the versatility to excel at both.

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