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2018/19 has been a season to forget so far for the Los Blancos. They lost Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer and despite many big names being linked to the club, no major signing was made. To make matters worse, none of the four summer signings have made a significant impact this season.
Former manager Julen Lopetegui was sacked after three miserable months in charge that saw the team lose 6 out of 14 games, including a 5-1 hammering by eternal rivals Barcelona. His replacement Santiago Solari has seen some improvement, winning 7 out of his 9 games in charge so far but there is still much improvement that needs to be made.
The winter transfer window will allow Solari to rejuvenate his squad and add depth to the current European champions' arsenal. Here's a look at three players Real need to sign this winter:
#3 Exequiel Palacios
20-year-old River Plate midfielder Palacios has been on Real Madrid's radar for quite some time now. The Argentine just won the Copa Libertadores at the Santiago Bernebeau, helping his team defeat local rivals Boca Juniors 3-1.
Marca has reported that a deal has been finalized between River Plate and Real Madrid, and the Argentine's signing will be announced shortly after the Club World Cup. Palacios might face his future club if River ends up facing Real in the tournament.
His signing will continue Club President Fiorentino Perez's policy of looking for young talent in South America. Palacio will join other South Americans Vinicius and Rodrygo who have been signed by Real.
Palacios is known for his passing ability and is pretty good in the air and at just 20 years of age, he has a lot of time to improve and become a world-class midfielder.
He might be the replacement Real need for Luka Modric. The 33-year-old Croatian has shown signs of fatigue on numerous occasions this season.
River Plate, however, would hold on to the midfielder for as long as possible. The deal is likely to be similar to that of Rodrygo and Vinicius, with the players only joining a year after their singing.
#2 Brahim Diaz
Young Manchester City attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz has been constantly linked with a move to Real Madrid over the past few weeks.
Diaz is looking to move away from City due to a lack of playing time and looking at other youngsters such as Jadon Sancho, who has been absolutely brilliant after moving from City to Borussia Dortmund, would surely make Diaz wonder if his fortune lies elsewhere.
The 19-year-old Spaniard is wanted by Santiago Solari, who is looking to add attacking depth to his squad. New signing Mariano Diaz has done very little to lift the goalscoring burden off the likes of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema and the two have not been at their best this season either.
In Diaz, Real will get a player who is very comfortable on the ball, loves to dribble, and creates chances for the players up front. His style of play is very similar to that of Isco but he also possesses a decent amount of pace, something the Real Marid maestro hasn't been gifted with.
According to multiple sources, Real are in talks with Manchester City for a transfer in January. Diaz will cost Madrid around €20 million but if he is able to live up to his potential, he will surely be a bargain at this price.
#3 Mario Hermoso
Real Madrid have had a torrid season at the back. With two World-Cup winning center backs at their disposal, conceding 19 goals in 15 league games is simply unacceptable. It is perhaps why Real have been linked with Espanyol defender Mario Hermoso.
The 23-year-old Spaniard joined Espanyol from Real Madrid's youth ranks back in 2017 and has performed really well for the Catalans, cementing his place in the team.
Owing to their defensive woes, Real have reportedly attempted to activate the defender's €7.5 million buy-back clause. With injuries to defenders Nacho, Marcelo, and Carvajal this season, Real could surely use some reinforcements at the back.
The heart of their defense, in particular, has been awful at times this season. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos have looked like shadows of their former selves on numerous occasions.
With Ramos now 32, it seems like the right time to start looking for a replacement and a commanding defender like Hermoso certainly fits the bill. His ability to carry the ball from the back and his goalscoring threat make him the ideal successor to Ramos.
Real's interest in Hermoso has gone cold over the past few weeks but if the defense continues to put on performances like the one against CSKA at home- an embarrassing 3-0 defeat, Real's biggest ever at home in the Champions League- Hermoso could well be on his way back to the club from the capital. And for a price like that, he'll surely be a bargain.
