Real Madrid Transfer News: Carlo Ancelotti Admits Giants May Be Forced to Spend

Injuries will determine whether Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti adds to his star-studded, La Liga-leading squad this January. The Italian manager will wait until after Christmas to decide on a transfer strategy, per the club's official Twitter feed:

Ancelotti's hint regarding his post-festivities plans have put young stars Martin Odegaard and Lucas Silva firmly back on the radar. The former is being coveted by every major European club, including Los Blancos.

But Celtic midfielder and fellow countryman Stefan Johansen is trying to convince Odegaard to look to Glasgow for inspiration, per Daily Mail reporter Marc Wilson: "I’ve talked a lot with Martin. We keep in touch and speak on the phone. I have told him that Celtic can be a good choice for him. The way we play would suit him. We have the ball a lot and that’s what Martin likes. He wants to be on the ball and creating chances."

The very fact that Madrid are pursuing Odegaard at all gives a strong indication of the precocious midfielder's talent. Los Merengues have rarely concerned themselves with developing youngsters during most of the Florentino Perez-led Galacticos era.

Perhaps Ancelotti sees acquiring Odegaard as the first step to redressing the balance between fostering potential and coveting star talent at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking of potential, it seems a proposed deal for Lucas Silva could still be alive; however, Madrid may be forced to play a waiting game for the talented Cruzeiro playmaker.

Silva's father cautioned against his son leaving Brazil this winter, per Brazilian publication MG Superesportes (h/t AS reporter Alvaro de la Rosa):

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The objective for Lucas and at the same time for his family is that he moves in six months or so (June 2015). The idea is to close the negotiation now but he leaves in half a year’s time. The important thing for him is to have pre season with the rest of the team and also play in the Libertadores with Cruzeiro. If he wants things to work out in a different way and he moves to Europe before, we’ll be delighted.

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Silva's father, Miguel Vieira, suavely left the door ajar for an earlier move with his final comment. That could be a not-so cogent message to Los Merengues that it's time to cough up the cash.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

That makes sense considering Madrid are currently falling short in a race with Arsenal for the player's signature. That's according to Marca reporter Jose Felix Diaz:

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A sum of 3 million euros currently stands between Lucas Silva and Real Madrid.

The 'Los Blancos' club management are aware that Cruzeiro want 15 million euros for their player and are not in the mood for negotiating. Arsenal have already put that figure on the table and therefore Real need to do the same if they want to snap up the best defensive midfielder of the 'Brasileirao.'

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Arsenal have a major need for a deep-lying playmaker like Silva, but Madrid's need shouldn't be understated despite the talent in the ranks.

Pass-masters Luka Modric and Toni Kroos boss the ball in most games, but Los Blancos are short of a player who can patrol the areas behind them.

Despite Madrid's electric start to the new season, the absence of a true defensive midfielder could be a fatal blow considering there's issues with both Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi.

That's the view of ESPN FC writer Graham Hunter:

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For a start, Illarramendi has enormous ground to make up. Intermittently effective last season, he hit a stage where his fooling around in a mini-bullfight and his total exposure against Borussia Dortmund both stripped him of credibility and self-confidence.

...

As for Khedira? More experienced, formidable when on form or if he could ever string three or four fit months together.

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Khedira could even depart for the Premier League this winter, with Chelsea B/R's Chelsea correspondent Garry Hayes believing the German would be a fine addition to the Blues' squad:

With a glaring question mark at such a key position, Ancelotti would probably rest easier if he could add at least one more midfielder to his squad. He hasn't always needed a shield in front of the back four this season, but if you were looking for the one thing Madrid miss, that would be it.

However, both Odegaard and Silva represent prospects rather than finished articles. Silva is the more able to contribute right away. The 21-year-old's passing range would certainly fit Ancelotti's brand of free-flowing, flair-based football.

But even a player of Silva's already healthy reputation would need time to acclimate to a top European league. That's especially true within the high-pressure atmosphere of Madrid, where trophies and stylish football must be joined together in a perfect marriage.

It seems much more likely that Ancelotti sticks with what he has unless an alarming spate of injuries forces his hand. In the event that happens, bank on him scouring the market for more experienced cover.