Who Next To Sign For Real Madrid In January ?

Real Madrid have a huge problem. They have already signed two players—Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra—however only one can play in the Champions League.

Why? Well under UEFA rules, a team in the Champions League can only add three players in the winter transfer window to their original squad list for the Champions League. Only one player from the three can play in the UEFA Cup.

This is a problem for Real Madrid as it looks that they have over looked this UEFA rule by signing two players that have both played in the UEFA Cup already this season, Huntelaar for Ajax and Diarra for Portsmouth.

Now Real Madrid manager Juande Ramos will have to pick one — Huntelaar or Diarra.

This leaves the questions of where to and who for Real Madrid. They need a right winger, as they have not replaced Robinho who was sold to Manchester City on the last day of the transfer window.

They have also suffered three major injuries: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mahamadou Diarra, as well as Rubén de la Red—who was hospitalised after collapsing during a Copa del Rey match against Real Union. All three have been ruled out for the season and you would think that UEFA would have a rule so that you could replace long term injured players with players not from the Champions League. 

What this means for Real Madrid is that they need a right winger plus replacements for the three injured players that have been ruled out for the season. That is four players they need to sign. They have signed two, but it looks as if only one can play in the Champions League. Real Madrid need two more players in January—a winger and a midfielder.

Who should Real Madrid go for, and who fits the bill?

Antonio Valencia, the 23-year-old from Wigan Athletic is a right winger that is perfect for Real Madrid as he is quick, skillful and his passing is pinpoint. He works hard on and off the ball and for his team. Real Madrid would make a signing of a very good young player that can play in the Champions League and perform well in the Real Madrid system.

Anderson Hernanes de Carvalho Andrade Lima—or simply Hernanes—is another 23-year-old from Sao Paulo FC. A defensive midfielder that can also play on both wings, Hernanes is a true two-footed player. Hernanes is so good with both feet it is hard to tell which is his natural foot (it is his right).

Hernanes is very good on the ball and his vision and passing is amazing. He is one of the brightest young players in Brazilian football and has been likened to Kaka of AC Milan. Real Madrid really should sign Hernanes, as he can fill a lot of places in the team but more than that, he will go on to be a great player for his club team and national team. It's a case of spending a little now and saving in the future.

Real Madrid face an uphill challenge in La Liga to make up a 12 point difference from Barcelona and a tough challenge in the Champions League Last 16 against Liverpool FC. These four players, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Lassana Diarra, Antonio Valencia, and Hernanes, would create a strong squad that could make a push for La Liga and really have a good chance to win the club's tenth Champions League.