Real Madrid Transfers: Ranking the 3 most likely major January exits

1. LUKA JOVIC

Luka Jovic faces a rather unfortunate situation at Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti sympathises as well. There’s no doubting Jovic’s talent and potential but there’s no way that he’s replacing Karim Benzema from the starting eleven. He’s a gifted player but is unlucky that he competes for a spot in the team with one of the world’s best strikers.

Like Hazard, Jovic has not yet given up on his dream of being a success at Real Madrid. He has not yet thrown in the towel because of Carlo Ancelotti, who has always spoken highly of the player and has given him confidence. If Zinedine Zidane was still in charge, I think Jovic would have left in the summer itself.

While Jovic does have Ancelotti’s confidence and support, the 23-year-old needs minutes and game-time more than anything else in his career. And that does not mean occasionally coming off the bench and starting games once in a while.

At his age, Luka Jovic needs to be playing week in and week out to improve his performances and possibly get back that same goal-scoring form that was on display while at Eintracht Frankfurt. Jovic cannot be a regular starter at Real Madrid and he knows that himself. He will always be a backup option.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing the Serbian this January as Mikel Arteta is keen on adding some firepower to his frontline. The Gunners could do with someone like Jovic and Real Madrid could consider offloading him in January if the right offer arrives.

Real Madrid paid 60 million euros for Jovic but the transfer simply has not worked out. Maybe it is the right time for Madrid to cut ties with the Serbian and offload him for whatever they can raise on the transfer market. The 23-year-old is also one of the best-paid players at the club and cutting him loose would free up more wages that could be used for either contract renewals or signing other players.