La Liga Transfer Speculation: Identifying Top January Targets for Real Madrid

While Real Madrid enjoyed a productive evening at home to Lyon in the Champions League last night, the January transfer window will be a vital stepping stone to shoring up an often shaky defence, as well as the lack of real depth in that department.

Madrid’s attacking flair has been on display for the majority of this season: Ronaldo, Ozil, Higuain and Benzema all playing their part up front, not to mention the welcome return to form of Kaka.

The problem for a team launching an attack on the heavily fortified defences of Catalonia is their weakness at the back. Without any real strength in depth coupled with a sluggish, aging centre-back pairing in Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho, it’s important Madrid use the winter transfer window to address the deficiencies in an otherwise extremely capable squad.

Yaroslav Rakitskiy

Yaroslav Rakitskiy came to the attention of the rest of Europe last season during a Champions league tie against Barcelona. Of course, the eventual champions went through to the next round, but a real positive for Shakhtar Donetsk was the emergence of their young centre-back.

The acquisition of Raphael Varane last summer was a positive move for Real Madrid, even more so with the enthusiasm Jose Mourinho has shown toward the youngster by giving him games. 

A breath of fresh air and an injection of youth and pace at the back is what Real should be looking for come the January window. A player in the mould of Rakitskiy would bring a steely determination so often found in players from Eastern Europe, as well as identifying a player who may be flying well under the radar come January.

A smart move certainly, but above all else, a necessary one for the future.

Neven Subotic

A real dominating force in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund, Neven Subotic gives the reigning German Champions an assured, reliable and confident presence in the heart of their defence. 

Forming an extremely solid and successful partnership with Mats Hummels, Subotic has long been on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs. A centre-half who is yet to see the prime of his career, and one who is well versed in the demands of European and international football.

Perhaps January will be a little early for Dortmund to part with one of their key players; certainly if they wish to take their place in the Champions League for a second year.

But Subotic represents the kind of quality at the back Madrid should be looking for. A powerful figure with leadership qualities and with enough experience to guide the more youthful Raphael Varane as he finds his feet in La Liga.

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole is no longer the right age of 30, a player who may have only a small number of years remaining at the highest level. But Cole certainly fits the bill of an experienced left-back able to do a job both in defence and going forward.

The two most obvious candidates to fill the Madrid left-back role are the often deployed in midfield, Fabio Coentrao, and Marcelo, a player far more comfortable and effective further up the field.

One of Jose Mourinho’s former players at Chelsea, Cole will be well aware of what the Madrid manager expects of him. A consistent level of performance that can help to solidify an uncertain area of the field, a presence of the left side of defence and, most importantly, someone who can readily combat the threat coming from the Barcelona attack.

Again, while there were a number of rumours linking Cole with a switch to Madrid during the summer, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas will allow the England international to leave the club midway through the season.