Real Madrid have decided they do need to strengthen in the right-back area, but are unlikely to do so immediately. Los Blancos will be without Dani Carvajal until late next year following a serious knee issue, leaving only Lucas Vazquez as a natural option in the position at the age of 33.
Linked with a number of alternatives, most notably Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool, Jeremie Frimpong at Bayer Leverkusen, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro, Relevo say that they will make a move for right-back. However their eyes are set more towards next summer rather than the winter transfer window.
The European champions will evaluate how these next two months go, but will not sign a player unless they feel they are improving on what they have currently. Carlo Ancelotti would rather Los Blancos made a signing, but is well aware of the fact that Los Blancos have not signed in January since 2020, and that it is part of club policy not to do so.
Real Madrid have full faith in Vazquez, and their idea is that if necessary, then Eder Militao can be used as an emergency right-back. Meanwhile they continue to work on bringing in Alexander-Arnold, but will not break the bank for him, and they are unlikely to move for him in January.
Many Madridistas will no doubt follow Ancelotti in pointing out that Militao is needed elsewhere. The Brazilian is part of their first-choice defensive pairing in the middle with Antonio Rudiger, and with Jesus Vallejo not trusted there, Aurelien Tchouameni’s versatility means they have just four players to cover three positions at the back.