Real Madrid's transfer chiefs have started to realise Xabi Alonso was right and that the team are lacking a creative midfielder. The Spanish tactician wanted more players despite the club spending around €180million in the summer.
A new midfielder is on the agenda and there have been links to Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton. The English star is one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League and has a host of European clubs chasing his signature.
Kees Smit is another target amid the Dutch teenager's superb displays out in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar. It's thought that the 19-year-old will be cheaper than Wharton who is being eyed by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Real Madrid's January transfer plans revealed
Unfortunately, it seems that if one of those two is going to arrive at the Bernabeu, it won't be happening in the January transfer window. There are reportedly no plans to make further changes to Alonso's first team during this window, per The Athletic.
That seems to suggest there will be no departures other than Endrick who joined French outfit Lyon on loan last week. The Brazilian striker has struggled to convince and will be getting more minutes in Ligue 1.
Florentino Perez very rarely conducts business in the winter so it comes as little to surprise that he doesn't intend to do so this year. But Alonso will be desperate for at least one new playmaking profile to arrive in the summer.
Nico Paz is an option
Madrid have been clever in recent years when selling their academy stars as they have ensured they can control their futures in some sense. That was the case with Nico Paz who left for Italian club Como in August 2024.
Los Blancos inserted a €9 million buy-back clause in the deal that took Paz to Serie A. He is shining under Cesc Fabregas and has registered six goals and as many assists in 17 top-flight games.
Paz would likely be eager to make a return if the opportunity arises given he rose through Madrid's youth ranks. He appeared eight times for the senior team, scoring one goal but departed for more first-team opportunities.
Whether it be the 21-year-old, Wharton or Smit, it's clear that finding a new Toni Kroos or Luka Modric is the main focus heading into the summer. All three fall into the strategy of signing youth who have world class potential.