Real Madrid Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of December 15

Real Madrid are in the midst of a club-record winning streak and travelling to Morocco to compete in the Club World Cup. Nevertheless, rumours regarding possible arrivals and outgoings in the upcoming January transfer window continue to circulate.

The following slides will keep you up to date with any news and rumours surrounding the team's transfer activity.

Done Deals

In: Marco Asensio (Mallorca), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United, loan), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Monaco) and Keylor Navas (Levante).

Out: Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Jesus Fernandez (Levante), Casemiro (Porto, loan) and Diego Lopez (AC Milan).

Last updated: Friday, December 17

Karim Benzema

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Friday, December 19

David Wright of the Express cites Spanish sources in claiming that Liverpool could be set to launch a £50 million bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Wright quotes Spanish journalist Manuel Esteban as saying that "Benzema is on thin ice. If they receive a big bid, they will not be hesitant."

This despite the fact that the striker is currently in excellent form and, as per Santiago Siguero of Marca, has won over any remaining doubters inside the club with his performances so far this season.

In short, the idea of him leaving Madrid for Liverpool in January is fanciful at best.

Lucas Silva

Pedro Vilela/Getty Images

Friday, December 19

With Luka Modric making better-than-expected progress in his recovery from injury, Marca report that Carlo Ancelotti may decide to call off a January move for Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva.

Ancelotti is said to be concerned that he will be unable to provide Silva with sufficient game time once Modric returns to action. With the Croatian currently recovering well that time come could sooner than initially anticipated.

Real Madrid have seemingly made little headway in negotiations with the Brazilian club, who are holding out for a €15 million fee. While Florentino Perez is keen to get the deal completed, Ancelotti has the final say and could now elect to wait until the end of the season before bringing Silva in.

Wednesday, December 17

Alvaro de la Rosa of AS reports that Cruzeiro are holding firm in negotiations with Real Madrid over the transfer of midfielder Lucas Silva.

Madrid had hoped to negotiate a fee of €12 million for the 21-year-old but Cruzeiro are insistent that they will only accept €15 million—an amount that English club Arsenal have already put on the table.

De la Rosa notes that Madrid remain Silva's first choice and that the player is willing to wait out negotiations in order to seal his preferred move.

He also reports that local news outlet MG Superesportes have indicated that Cruzeiro will offer Silva a new contract. The midfielder's father is said to be keen for his son to remain in Brazil until the summer of 2015.

Monday, December 15

Jose Felix Diaz of Marca reports that Real Madrid are keen to complete the transfer of Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva this week.

Madrid are, however, loath to meet the Brazilian club's asking price of €15 million. Despite the fact that Cruzeiro have maintained a strong stance on their desired price tag during previous talks, Madrid are hopeful of negotiating the fee down to €12 million.

Diaz notes that the club are still keeping in contact with the agent of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Christoph Kramer but consider the deal for Silva to be the easier of the two to negotiate and complete during the January transfer window.

Marco Reus

Michael Probst/Associated Press

Monday, December 15

Jose Felix Diaz of Marca reports that Real Madrid have sent a representative to Germany to keep them updated on the status of Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus.

Madrid are one of a number of clubs tracking the Germany international, who is reported to be available for a fee of €25 million next summer. Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on him, and it is their interest that has prompted Madrid to send a man to Dortmund to oversee developments.

Diaz writes that Madrid are wary of Bayern's motives:

"

At the Bernabeu they do not trust Bayern's strategy concerning a player that Real Madrid are keen on signing. In Munich, people are still wondering what led Kroos to leave Guardiola's team, and revenge is still in the air despite the good relationship that exists between the two clubs.

"