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After a tough start this season, Real Madrid are currently sixth on the LaLiga table, 5 points behind the leaders, Barcelona. Most of their struggles are down to their defence, and they have conceded 19 goals in the opening 13 LaLiga games.
Sergio Ramos has started declining with age, and Raphaël Varane and Nacho Fernandez are playing far from their best. Los Blancos need a new centre-back to take the team forward, and they could use the January transfer window as the opportunity to strengthen the team and bring their season back on track.
Right on this note, here is a list of three centre-backs Real Madrid could target in the January transfer window to end their defensive woes.
#3 Toby Alderweireld
Strong, quick, and an excellent reader of the game, Toby Alderweireld is among the best centre-backs in the Premier League right now, and would be an excellent addition to Los Blancos' back-line.
The Belgium international joined Tottenham Hotspur from Atlético Madrid in 2015, and has been a commendable figure in the Spurs back-line since then. He played all 38 league matches during his debut campaign at the club, and helped them maintain the joint-best defensive record in England's top-flight.
The 29-year-old has played 94 games for Spurs, scoring 5 goals. He was a part of the PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2015-16, and he also won the Tottenham Player of the Season 2015-16.
The Belgium international's current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2019, and there are reports that he is currently refusing to renew his contract.
If they cannot settle on an agreement, it is likely Tottenham will reluctantly cash in on the player during the January transfer window, as opposed to letting him leave on a free transfer next year.
#2 Kalidou Koulibaly
The Senegalese international is presently among the best defenders in the world, and he has improved significantly during his time in the Serie A with Napoli.
Koulibaly is a quick, tall, a strong defender, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and has an excellent passing range. He has completed 791 passes this season, with an impressive accuracy of 90.3 percent. With 18 interceptions and 22 tackles completed in the league alone, he continues to excel as Napoli flourishes under Carlo Ancelotti.
The 27-year-old has played 135 games for the Naples outfit, scoring 8 times. He was a part of the Serie A Team of the Season in 2015-16 and 2016-17, and also earned himself a place in the CAF Team of the Year in 2016, after his fine defensive showings.
However, he recently signed a new contract with the Italian club, and Los Blancos need to dig deep into their pockets to sign the talented defender. He is also being linked with a move to Barcelona, which makes the situation more difficult for Real Madrid.
#1 Virgil van Dijk
The Dutch captain, Virgil van Dijk, is among the best central defenders in the world right now as he completely transformed Liverpool's troublesome defence into one of the league's best since his move from Southampton in the January transfer window of 2018.
Liverpool have conceded just 5 goals in the Premier League, which is the second best defensive record in the English top-tier this season. He adds composure to the back-line, and also brings the team together with his leadership qualities.
The Dutchman has completed 969 passes this season, with an impressive accuracy rate of 90.3 percent. Along with his impressive tackle success rate of 75 percent, he has also won 52 of his 71 aerial duels.
Liverpool spent a world record fee of £75 million to sign the Dutchman from Southampton in January 2018, and Los Blancos need to offer an amount much higher than that in order to make The Reds think about selling their star defender.
