Real Madrid will make a renewed effort for him mark Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the coming days, it is said.
Madrid are confident they will complete the signing of Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season, but their woeful run of form has seen them attempt to extend that deal until January.
An approach to Liverpool was rejected at the start of the window and it was recently reported that Madrid was beginning to accept they wouldn't be able to convince the Reds to sell, but mark claim the opposite.
Following the Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, club officials have acknowledged the need to act this month to stop the team's slide and there is agreement that paying to sign Alexander-Arnold now would be a worthwhile move.
Madrid will still try to avoid overpaying for a player who, they believe, has already decided to join them on a free in the summer anyway, but they are ready to offer a deal to prove the lure Liverpool to cash in on their home star while they still can.
A new left-back and centre-back are also on the agenda for Madrid. There is apparently still confidence in negotiations with Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, despite recent claims that one A contract extension is the likely outcome for the Canadian international.