Real Madrid's biggest need at the moment might be to sign a centre-back in the January transfer window. ACL injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba have meant that Antonio Rudiger and Nacho are the only available players in that position in Carlo Ancelotti's squad. Not nearly enough depth in such an important area, especially with the club competing for important titles.
Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid have been linked with a number of centre-backs over the past few days. Rumours regarding Raphael Varane have picked up a bit of momentum lately, with the Frenchman struggling to get into the Manchester United starting XI this season.
Another name that has done the rounds of the Real Madrid rumour mill is Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP. But it looks like Newcastle United are the frontrunners for his signature.
As reported by Record (via Sport Witness), Sporting CP don’t want to part ways with the player in the middle of the campaign but do expect some attempts to be made to sign him in the January transfer window. Inacio has been recently linked with Real Madrid but Newcastle United are actually said to be the ‘best positioned’ club in the race for the Portuguese international.
Newcastle United favourites to sign €60 million Real Madrid target
Inacio has emerged as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe. The 22-year-old currently plays for Sporting CP and is also a full Portugal international.
There is believed to be a €60 million release clause in Inacio's current deal with Sporting CP. And any club wanting to sign him might need to meet that.
It looks like Newcastle United are the ones leading the race for Inacio. And it is hard to see Real Madrid making a move of that magnitude in the January transfer window, if their recent record is anything to go by.