Real Madrid had a very quiet January transfer window and did not end up signing any players, although it looks like they do have a deal in place to bring in Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano in the summer. Another player they had the opportunity to sign was Joao Cancelo, who Los Blancos had been linked with several times in the past.
Cancelo leaving Manchester City in January in order to join Bayern Munich on loan came as a massive surprise to many people. It was just a few months ago that he was considered as one of the best full-backs on the planet and an undisputed starter in Pep Guardiola’s team. Things had changed after the World Cup break.
It looks like Bayern Munich were not the only team that had the chance to sign Cancelo in January though.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on his YouTube channel, Cancelo was discussed as an option to be offered to Real Madrid. But Los Blancos decided not to sign any players in January. They are happy with the squad they have and believe they have a top right-back for the future in Vinicius Tobias.
Why Real Madrid did not sign Cancelo from Manchester City in January
Cancelo could have been a very good fit for a club like Real Madrid, especially with the number of issues they have faced in the full-back positions this season, with several players looking out of form and struggling with injuries.
He has made a solid start since joining Bayern Munich as well, providing an assist and helping keep a clean sheet in his very first game for the Bundesliga champions.
The public stance has always been that Real Madrid would not sign any players in the middle of the season and the club stuck to that. Now, whether it was the right decision from them or not, only time shall tell.