Real Madrid Transfer News: Mario Gotze, David Alaba, Edinson Cavani Raid Rumours

Real Madrid will reportedly make a triple swoop in the final stages of the January window, with Mario Gotze, Edinson Cavani and David Alaba said to be on the club’s radar.

That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Edu Herrero of AS), which claimed the transfer ban levelled at the club will prompt them into action before the window shuts. The sanctions meant that Real will be unable to sign players for two transfer windows from the summer, although it is anticipated they will appeal the decision.

Naturally, all three players would make a big difference at the Santiago Bernabeu and Gotze, of the three, could be the most attainable. Here’s a glimpse at what he can potentially offer this team:

At the moment the Bayern Munich man is struggling to get regular minutes at the Allianz Arena. Pep Guardiola doesn’t typically play with a No. 10, where Gotze is most effective, meaning he is often left out of the side for the German champions' big games.

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, when he does get opportunities in the first team, Gotze typically makes a positive impression:

A move, therefore, wouldn’t be a huge surprise, especially if a team like Real come calling. However, in the position Gotze operates, Zinedine Zidane can already call upon both James Rodriguez and Isco. As talented as the Bayern man is, even he wouldn’t be guaranteed a regular starting spot given Madrid's array of firepower.

An area Los Blancos may need reinforcements is at centre-forward, with Karim Benzema the only natural striker in the Real Madrid squad. So a pursuit of a player like Cavani would certainly make sense. As we can see here, Cavani is a player who sniffs out goalscoring chances:

He’d provide Benzema with some overdue competition and help take the load off the French striker, who can occasionally look jaded after prolonged spells in the side.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

You could see why Cavani may be keen on a possible transfer away from the French capital. He’s still typically deployed on the flanks to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after all. But with the mercurial Swede’s contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, the PSG striker may finally get a run in the No. 9 berth.

Of the three reported targets, landing Alaba is likely to be the most difficult for Real Madrid. As we can see below, the Austria international is one of the most naturally talented footballers in the game:

You get the impression the 23-year-old could do a stellar job in any position on the pitch. Not only is he physical and quick, he is a exceptional technician, has incredible football intelligence and a huge appetite for the game.

Having a player who is so good in so many different positions is rare in modern-day football, and the German champions will surely do their utmost to cling on to him.

As noted by football journalist Rafael Hernandez, under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola the defender has taken his game on even more:

The problem Real face is getting these players in the January window. Both Bayern and PSG are set to have a very busy end to the campaign, meaning Gotze, Cavani and Alaba will likely play some part during the run in. Given the quality of each, it’d be no surprise if the two clubs did refuse to entertain any prospect of a sale.