Real Madrid Transfer News: Marco Reus Rumours Addressed by Florentino Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has stated that the European champions are "not looking" to sign Marco Reus from Borussia Dortmund.

Reus' future continues to grab headlines as the January transfer window approaches. Besides Madrid, he has been linked with Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, per Alex Harris of the Daily Star.

Perez has denied Los Blancos' involvement in the potential transfer saga, however, saying: "I'm good friends with Borussia's president [Reinhard Rauball]," per AS. "We're not looking at Reus, in the same way as we're not talking about renovations."

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Madrid would have to upset their current balance to find a first-team space for Reus. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema make up Carlo Ancelotti's attacking trident, while the Italian manager has also found the right balance in his post-Xabi Alonso midfield.

Both Bale and Benzema have been linked with departures recently. Spanish journalist Manuel Esteban recently told La Goleada that Bale "will not continue at Real Madrid and Benzema is also on thin ice," reported via Ben Jefferson of the Express.

This seems highly unlikely, not only because of the duo's tremendous quality, but also because Bale only joined the club in 2013.

Although Reus' reported £20 million buyout clause becomes active in the summer, it would be a risk for Ancelotti to break up the current squad. Sure, the sale of his aforementioned stars would allow significant investment, but UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules ensure chopping and changing world-class talent is becoming an increasingly difficult strategy to maintain.

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Jose Felix Diaz of Marca recently suggested that Madrid will focus on younger signings. He notes that the Bernabeu club are looking to "splash the cash to snap up the best prospects," an approach which falls in line with Perez's comments regarding Reus.

Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke noted that Reus "would love to stay here because he loves the city and he loves Borussia Dortmund," per the Press Association, via the Daily Mail.

Former Germany and Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder believes the Spanish capital would be a favourable destination for Reus, however, and he suggests that the player's love for his local community wouldn't stop him moving, reported by Bild (h/t Harris):

"

If Reus had to choose between Real and Barcelona, Real would be the easier alternative. Madrid are more global than Barcelona. Barcelona means Catalunya, they're more insular and prefer their own youth.

[...] Everyone talks about how enrooted in Ruhr that Marco Reus is, but that is no reason to not play in Spain.

"

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Football writer Clark Whitney reports that Bayern Munich may also be an option, but the German champions are ready to scout alternatives:

Perez's comments are unlikely to quash speculation linking the rapid forward to Madrid. Reus has scored six and provided three assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com, and he is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

He will once again need to brush off fitness concerns before he becomes a legitimate target for any of Europe's elite.

With Madrid's potential interest dismissed and Barca's likely transfer ban, Reus' options appear to be slimming by the day. Even so, his relatively cheap buyout clause ensures many clubs could compete for his signature and may see greater personal terms offered to seal the deal.

Madrid's current 21-game winning streak suggests major acquisitions aren't needed right now and that investment in future stars is a smart way to ensure the current squad remains adequately reinforced.