A disappointing season for Real Madrid is an impressive campaign for most other clubs in European football.
Los Blancos have stuttered through the first half of 2024/25 and will be frustrated with themselves heading into the new year. Three wins from six in the Champions League is worrying and leaves them in a difficult position, while their form in La Liga has been inconsistent. By their own high standards, they remain somewhat of their best.
Madrid appear unlikely to make any additions in the January transfer window but this may prove a fatal error. Defensive injuries have been costly this season and have often left the Spanish giants exposed, with reinforcements at the back crucial in the near future.
Here are the areas Real Madrid can aim above the winter window.
Dani Carvajal enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023/24, but his current season is already over. The 32-year-old is out for the remainder of the term with an ACL injury suffered at the start of October, leaving Madrid extremely short at right-back.
Lucas Vazquez is their only senior option and the former winger has rarely been a reliable figure on the right side of defence. An injury to the Spaniard in mid-November forced Ancelotti to use Federico Valverde in the right-back position.
Los Blancos could desperately use a more consistent and impressive option for the second half of the campaign.
Main objectives
The main target of the Madrid right-back appears to be Liverpool's dynamo Trent Alexander-Arnold. Number 66 is out of contract with the Reds at the end of the current season and may join best friend Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital. The England defender is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with Los Blancos in January, but it seems extremely unlikely that he will join before next summer.
Bayer Leverkusen is sensational Jeremy Frimpong is another that has been casually associated with Madrid. The attack-minded Dutchman was integral to his side's league and cup double last season with his penchant for scoring goals and providing assists.
Even the Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot THERE is said to be interested in Los Blancos. The Portuguese defender would certainly be a viable option for Madrid, but is unlikely to set pulses racing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Center back has long been a problem for Madrid. Not in terms of the quality of those they have in position, but because of a relentless stream of injuries.
David Alaba has been out since December 2023 and will need time to adapt when he returns to the squad at the start of the new year. Eder Militao has suffered an ACL injury for the second straight season and will miss the rest of the campaign. Nacho Fernandez left on a free transfer in the summer.
Everything has left Madrid without depth and quality in the center back position. Antonio Rudiger has been a mainstay, but his partner has flown between defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and youngster Raul Asencio. To challenge for major titles, they may need to strengthen the center of their defence.
Main objectives
An option for Madrid during the January window is the former defender Rafa Marin. They sold the 22-year-old to Napoli after an impressive loan spell with Alaves, but could sanction a return for the Spaniard in January – even if only on loan.
Jonathan Tah was a serious target for Bayern Munich in the summer, but the centre-back's move to the Bavarian giants never materialised. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is available on a free transfer next summer and Madrid have been previously linked to the German international.
If Madrid want to sign a younger talent with bags of potential then Palmeiras will be a surprise Victor Reis may be a solution. The 18-year-old has been compared to his Brazilian compatriot Marquinhos and has a bright future.
Left-back is one of the only defensive areas in which Madrid have not suffered significant injuries this season, but Ferland Mendy's increasingly worrying performances mean it is still a position that could be strengthened.
Deputy Fran Garcia has replaced the Frenchman in recent weeks after a disappointing first half of the 2024/25 campaign filled with mistakes and shaky performances. Eduardo Camavinga was also favored by his compatriot in the 4-2 win over Sevilla last time out.
Main objectives
Alphonso Davies IS The main objective of Madrid's left wing. The speedy Bayern defender has consistently been one of the best in Europe in his position over the past few seasons and could arrive on a free transfer next summer. A move in January looks much less likely, but they could agree a contract for the Canada international during the winter window.
A cost-effective option could be that of Girona Miguel Gutierrez. The former Los Blancos academy product could be available for as little as £8m due to a buy-back clause in his contract, with the 23-year-old having impressed in last season's surprise Champions League qualifiers.
Moving for another former left-back, Theo Hernandezit would be a more ambitious move. Real Madrid are unlikely to pay the huge fee that would be needed to sign the Frenchman, but there can be no doubting his status as one of the world's leading defenders.