Calling True or False on 3 Recent Real Madrid Transfer Rumours

The opening of the January transfer window might still be more than two months away, but the rumour mill never stops churning, particularly when Real Madrid are concerned. 

For Los Blancos, improving on the first XI already in place at the Bernabeu via the transfer market will be extremely difficult in January, given that signing stars midseason is a rare occurrence in Europe. Additionally, Rafa Benitez's squad is very close to maxed-out in a talent sense. 

Thus, any January moves, whether they be comings or goings, will likely occur on the squad's periphery, where increased depth may be sought or rarely used back-up options are moved on.

Consequently, we've examined three recent rumours involving Real Madrid below that cover such areas. 

Rumour: Real Madrid Looking for Cover at Left-Back 

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

According to Marca's Jose Felix Diaz, Real Madrid will look to bolster their options at left-back in January, with Bayer Leverkusen's Wendell suggested as the club's No. 1 choice.

Diaz said the Brazilian was scouted by Los Blancos earlier this year and was close to joining the club during the summer. The piece also stated Alex Sandro and Layvin Kurzawa were also considered during the last transfer window, but after their respective moves to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, both are probably out of reach now.

Also linked in the summer by Marca was Wolfsburg's Ricardo Rodriguez

For Real Madrid, the hunt for another left-back is understandable. After Fabio Coentrao's loan move to Monaco, Rafa Benitez has only Marcelo as a natural option at left-back, meaning right-back Alvaro Arbeloa and the versatile Nacho represent his only makeshift cover. 

Additionally, so far this season, Los Blancos have endured injury problems among the full-back stocks, with both Danilo and Daniel Carvajal suffering setbacks in the early stages of the new campaign. If Marcelo were to suffer an injury too, it would be extremely damaging for the club, given that the Brazilian's athleticism and ability to operate as a quasi-winger is essential to maintaining width on the left when Cristiano Ronaldo drifts centrally. 

Whether or not Madrid can get their man in January remains to be seen—convincing a first-team regular to accept a back-up role isn't easy—but the story itself appears to have a solid founding.

Verdict: True

Rumour: Denis Cheryshev Being Chased by CSKA, Liverpool and Others

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Denis Cheryshev is considered a January transfer target for CSKA Moscow, according to Russian newspaper Izvestia (h/t AS).  

Cheryshev, who was born in Russia but has spent most of his life in Spain, is also being closely monitored by Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal, according to AS. The same outlet also cited a report from TuttoMercatoWeb that indicated Liverpool are maintaining their summer interest in the winger. 

For Cheryshev, a move away from the Bernabeu looks logical if he wishes to cement a place in the Russian national side ahead of Euro 2016, given the paucity of playing time currently on offer at Real Madrid. After rejoining the club in the summer following loan spells at Sevilla and Villarreal, the 24-year-old has seen only 19 minutes of playing time this season, despite Los Blancos having suffered numerous injuries already. 

The problem for the Russian is that, while he's capable of being as influential as other back-ups such as Lucas Vazquez and Jese, he's a left-sided attacker and is essentially competing with Ronaldo. Thus, for Cheryshev to get playing time, either the Ballon d'Or winner has to be injured, or Benitez has to change the system and use Ronaldo up front in a two-man attack, leaving a left-sided midfield berth open for Cheryshev. 

And when everyone is available, he won't find a way in. 

Consequently, a move away in January wouldn't surprise, provided Real Madrid were offered something close to the €20 million (£14.7 million) they value Cheryshev at, per Goal. 

Verdict: True 

Rumour: Arsenal Interested in Jese

Trond Tandberg/Getty Images

Arsenal are interested in taking Jese from the Bernabeu to the Emirates Stadium on loan in January with an option to buy next summer, according to Sport (h/t Metro). 

The story comes immediately on the back of comments from the forward's agent to Marca that his client "needs to play more" and that Real Madrid "will have to make a decision" on whether he stays or goes. Jese rarely featured under Carlo Ancelotti after returning from injury last season, and has made just two league starts in 2015-16 under new boss Rafa Benitez, leading to reports of a rift between the player and manager, according to Marca. 

Just as it is with Cheryshev, playing time in attack is difficult to come by for Jese, who's considered back-up to the likes of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez when all four stars are fit. However, Jese feels far less likely to move on than the Russian.

Indeed, there's nothing a fanbase loves more than a precocious homegrown striker, and Jese is a hit at the Bernabeu for that very reason. When he returned from injury to feature against Cornella in last season's Copa del Rey, his presence when warming up on the sideline was greeted with a bigger ovation than any goal that evening. Thus, selling him wouldn't help Florentino Perez's popularity in the Spanish capital. 

Additionally, Arsenal doesn't strike as a likely destination for the 22-year-old. All summer, as the club chased Benzema, the Gunners made it obvious they were looking to sign a No. 9 who was the finished article—a prolific and experienced striker who would take the team to the next level. Basically, they wouldn't be settling for anything less. 

But Jese isn't that type of player. Not yet, anyway. Still a work in progress, the Spaniard wouldn't be the world-class addition Arsenal are after, and Arsene Wenger has repeatedly shown that he won't spend money for the sake of it, even if he can't get his primary target. 

Verdict: False