Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus and Top January Targets

For a team leading La Liga's ranks and showing no signs of relenting in their quest for European domination, Real Madrid might not appear to need January reinforcements.

However, Carlo Ancelotti isn't the sort to sit content with the assets already under his command, and Los Merengues remain linked with a long line of some of the world's most wanted.

The possibility of seeing Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus arrive at the Bernabeu will whet the appetite of many a Madridista, but as we'll discuss, the club has other promising 2015 prospects in sight.

Marco Reus

Michael Probst/Associated Press

After moving back to boyhood outfit Dortmund, there was a time where it seemed impossible Reus would depart the club for a second time.

However, Ancelotti is said to have told Brazilian manager Tite that Real president Florentino Perez is firmly in the hunt for Reus. Speaking to Sportv (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan), Tite proclaimed:

"Ancelotti told me that they could sign [Silva] and asked me if he could play in the position of [Luka] Modric or [Toni] Kroos, because he told me 'the president does not sign defenders.' [Perez] wanted to sign Reus and Ancelotti asked him where he could fit him in."

Michael Probst/Associated Press

The interview mentions no hint of Ancelotti ruling out the possibility of Reus' arrival, and of course, the German international would be a welcome addition in the squad.

As Corrigan writes, Rolls Reus would be available for a reduced fee of €25 million next summer when a clause in his contract becomes active, and Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein writes for ESPN FC that an exit could happen:

Just whether or not Real will be the party to win the race for his signature is another question. Dortmund may not be willing to sell in January, but if Los Blancos were to take the initiative and offer an increased fee, the Black and Yellows may be tempted.

That possibility is slim considering Reus would be cup-tied for the Champions League and is currently recovering from injury, but it all depends on how badly Real want their man.

Lucas Silva

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The other name mentioned in that interview is Lucas Silva, the Cruzeiro starlet whom Tite confirms is intriguing Ancelotti, possibly with a view to replacing Sami Khedira.

The midfield anchor will see his contract at the Bernabeu expire next summer, and although Ancelotti has hinted at an extension, Spanish newspaper Marca says Silva is a priority for the club at present.

As the report states, the biggest question at this juncture is whether the Brazilian under-20 international will arrive now or next summer, with Silva having already come close to a move last summer.

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A holding midfielder who possesses a creative eye, the 21-year-old is similar to Kroos in characteristics, but he brings with him a more flavoursome Samba approach.

After winning back-to-back Brasileiro Serie A titles at Cruzeiro, Silva currently sits as one of the most revered prospects in his home nation and is expected to make moves toward his senior Brazil debut in the coming years.

Marco Asensio

The fight for one of Spain's most exciting prodigies is heating up, and just when it seemed as though Real Madrid had their man, Marco Asensio appears not to be a Blanco just yet.

As reported by Spanish newspaper AS, the Mallorca attacker is close to the reigning European champions, but Barcelona have raised interest in the 18-year-old's signature to complicate matters:

"

Barça poised to scupper Madrid's bid to land Asensio, whose transfer to the Bernabéu has still not been completed. More on that to follow.

— AS English (@English_AS) November 28, 2014"

This season has seen Asensio switch from his roots on the wing into a more central role, and if he were to arrive at the Bernabeu, he'd have a mass of competition looking to block his path.

The official Real Madrid Twitter account quoted Ancelotti this week in saying he's intrigued by the playmaker's potential:

James Rodriguez was signed from Monaco last summer for €80 million, but Asensio could be a player of similar promise, except his services would be far, far less costly.

In a familiar battle of La Liga's giants, Barca will do their best to turn the youngster's head, and it looks likely to be simple a case of which club Asensio would like to represent more.