The real reason why Real Madrid abandoned pursuit of a centre-back in January – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid had been exploring the possibility of signing a new centre-back in the January transfer window, according to a recent report from Rodra (h/t RM4 Arab).

However, the club’s plans changed after the emergence of Raul Asensio and Aurelien Tchouameni, which led to the decision to not pursue any new signings for the position in January.

In a press conference held over a month ago, Carlo Ancelotti was asked about potential transfers in the winter market. At that time, the Italian coach, who was dealing with injuries and a series of disappointing results, left the door open for new signings.

Ancelotti stated that the decision would be made after the match against Sevilla, but it was clear that the team needed some reinforcements.

Real Madrid were clear all along

As it turned out, Real Madrid did not have to wait long to finalise their decision. The Champions League victory over Atalanta and Barcelona’s struggles in La Liga allowed Madrid to close the gap at the top of the table.

Aurelien Tchouameni has stepped in for Real Madrid. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

This shift in momentum meant that the club regained confidence and, more importantly, found themselves in a position where they could take control of the league title race without the need for mid-season transfers.

Despite this positive shift, Ancelotti still faces significant issues within his squad, particularly the defensive department. The need for a new centre-back was one of the club’s primary concerns heading into the winter transfer window.

However, the search for a suitable player who met both the club’s financial and performance standards proved to be difficult.

Furthermore, Real Madrid’s summer transfer plan, which included the pursuit of Alexander-Arnold, has been progressing well, and this further reduced the urgency to make changes in January.

In the end, the roles of Asensio and Tchouameni have provided solutions in the short term, making the idea of signing a new centre-back unnecessary for now.

With these players stepping up, Real Madrid now seems content to continue without making a major signing in January, focusing instead on their ongoing progress in both La Liga and the Champions League.