Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours and Speculation on Boxing Day 2014

Real Madrid want Marco Reus. In fact, Los Blancos want the Borussia Dortmund forward so much they're apparently willing to sell Gareth Bale to make room for the Germany international.

Elsewhere, the 10-time European champions have been told to show some "respect" if they hope to bring Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva to the Spanish capital.

However, it's the idea of dumping Bale in favour of Reus that will naturally command the most attention. That's the best place to start with the latest round of transfer speculation.

Bale Could Be Offloaded to Manchester United

In order to make room for Reus, Los Blancos will reportedly sell Bale for £120 million to Premier League outfit Manchester United. That's according to Catalan publication Sport (h/t Daily Express).

Sergio Camacho/Getty Images

The report indicates the deal will be engineered to earn Madrid a huge profit, something that could be very useful within modern football's laws:

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Reus is available for just £20m in the summer, meaning the European champions could do a like-for-like swap and land £100m in the coffers.

That would allow Carlo Ancelotti plenty of funds to strengthen other areas of the squad and remain in line with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

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While that's not enough to believe Bale will be headed for the exit door, there are more reasons to believe Reus might be the preferred choice in Madrid. In terms of style, the 25-year-old Germany international is more of a technician than Bale.

While the latter relies on direct strength and speed to punish defences, Reus torments opponents with subtle movement and natural flair. Those are qualities that would certainly suit the intricate and creative brand of football Los Merengues boss Carlo Ancelotti encourages.

B/R analyst Sam Tighe has emphasised creativity as one of Reus' best qualities and one of the main reasons he is so coveted:

However, Reus' suitability for Madrid doesn't mean the club will give up so easily on Bale, who cost them £85 million in the summer. But forget the price; it's not as if Bale has been a flop in the Spanish capital.

In particular, Bale has established a niche as a player for the big occasion.

He netted the memorable winner in the Copa del Rey final against hated rivals Barcelona last season. He followed that by putting Madrid into the lead against neighbours Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final. Most recently, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur ace scored the decisive second in the FIFA Club World Cup final against San Lorenzo.

Bale has been littered with trophies since arriving in Madrid. He certainly doesn't sound eager to leave, according to Mail Online writer Pete Jenson.

Meanwhile, it also doesn't seem as though the club is ready to let Bale walk away just yet. That's the view of Marca reporter Jose Felix Diaz, despite his assertion United's interest is real:

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The rumours linking Manchester United with Bale are not entirely unfounded, though there is no offer on the table. ... However, 'Los Blancos' have made it clear that Louis van Gaal and co. would be best served by looking elsewhere.

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Bale has formed a potent combination with Cristiano Ronaldo, a player he almost mirrors in style. The powerful pair's awesome pace, dynamic athleticism and deadly finishing are foils for the clever passing of midfield maestros such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Ancelotti may well want a player as talented as Reus. But even if he does, don't count Bale being asked to leave.

Cruzeiro Angered by Madrid's Silva Approach

It seems that Madrid's route to talented midfielder Lucas Silva won't be as serene as many had anticipated. A major disparity exists between what Real are willing to pay and what Cruzeiro are willing to accept for the gifted 21-year-old.

That gap has prompted Cruzeiro director of football Alexandre Mattos to chide Madrid's thrifty approach.

Mattos made his defiant comments during an interview with Radio Itatiaia (h/t Marca): "I called the president [Gilvan Tavares] when they again bid less than €15 million and he told me that the club won't accept any less than that. Real Madrid are not going to sign Lucas Silva until they show Cruzeiro some respect."

Tough talk from Mattos, but it's Cruzeiro's prerogative to seek maximum value for one of the club's best prospects. Mattos and the Cruzeiro hierarchy certainly want to make it appear as though they are determined to press that point home.

However, this is beginning to sound a lot like classic negotiation tactics. Cruzeiro must see losing Silva as a real possibility.

Why else would Mattos admit to asking "several times" after Tottenham fringe player Paulinho, per SambaFoot's Dominic Fleming? In truth, the chances of Silva's exit are high, if for no other reason than Madrid's obvious need for another midfield player.

Ancelotti's squad has endured several injuries in the middle. The Italian coach also seems to lack faith in Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi.

In this context, Silva could provide immediate help. He's a steady and cerebral holding midfielder who is also blessed with excellent passing technique.

Ancelotti has even previously admitted to scouting the player, per the Mail Online's Jack Bezants. Meanwhile, some of Silva's fellow Cruzeiro players believe he's destined for Madrid, according to AS' Patricia Dominguez.

Silva represents the most likely new arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu this winter. He answers a more obvious and immediate need for Ancelotti's squad.

Don't rule out Reus eventually pulling on a Madrid shirt, but that's more likely to happen next summer.