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Real Madrid have not had a promising first half of the season in the 2018-19 LaLiga campaign, having fallen behind leaders Barcelona by 8 points (although they do have a game in hand on the Catalans).
Los Blancos have had a turbulent year so far, having sacked their manager Julen Lopetegui just months after being hired and replaced him with Real Madrid reserve team manager Santiago Solari.
Madrid have recovered since then, winning all but one fixture in LaLiga since their mauling by Barcelona, topping Group G in the Champions League group stage, and winning the Club World Cup.
But it is quite evident that Madrid need new signings to re-invigorate the squad which is ageing, and also find an able goal-scoring replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, whose massive void in the Madrid starting XI has not been filled.
Here are 5 players Real Madrid should in January 2019:
#5 Robert Lewandowski
One aspect where Real Madrid have struggled and missed the presence of Ronaldo is up front, scoring goals. Karim Benzema, Madrid's No. 1 striker currently, has 11 goals in all competitions this season, but only 6 goals in the league, which is two more than second highest goalscorer for Madrid in the league, Gareth Bale, and club captain Sergio Ramos.
Madrid have to definitely strengthen up front and one player who has been linked with Madrid for the past few seasons is Bayern Munich frontman, Robert Lewandowski. It is no secret that Madrid have targetted the Polish striker's signature previously, and Lewandowski himself seems keen on a move to the Bernabéu.
Los Blancos were keen on signing him in the summer, but Bayern were not willing to let go of the Lewandowski, who has already scored 22 goals in all competitions for the German club this year! The prolific striker has scored 40+ goals in all competitions for Bayern in the last three seasons, and a move to Madrid could make the current Champions League holders a potent force in LaLiga in the second half of the season.
A fee upwards of €100 million will be required for Madrid to sign the Polish forward.
#4 Kalidou Koulibaly
Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly is a defender who can be talked about in the same breath as some of the best defenders in world football, currently. The Senegalese defender is strong and quick, and is a leader at the back, and has been a solid presence at the back of the Italian club.
His upturn in form has coincided with three consecutive second place finishes for the Italian club in Serie A, in the previous three seasons.
Madrid's central defensive pairing of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have formed a formidable partnership over the last few years, but have looked vulnerable at the back this season, notably in Madrid's two big losses against Barcelona and Eibar.
Koulibaly would not come at a cheap price as Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis admitted that they rejected a £95 million offer from Manchester United in the summer, and a fee higher than that can be expected as transfer fees in January are inflated.
#3 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
The midfield trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro, and Toni Kroos have been instrumental in Madrid's recent successes, especially in the Champions League. But Madrid need one or two quality replacements for them in midfield, or a backup option to change things when things are not going right.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic offers something unique from the current midfield three that play for Madrid. A powerful, strong, and complete midfielder, the 23-year-old can play multiple roles in midfield - either at the base of midfield, behind the striker, or in a midfield three.
Milinkovic-Savic had a productive 2017-18 season, scoring 14 goals and assisting 9 in all competitions. AC Milan are reportedly interested in the signature of the Serbia international, and reports suggest that they are close to finalising a deal for around €70 million.
At 23 years of age, Milinkovic-Savic could be a shrewd investment on a player who is bound to improve over the next few years.
#2 Mauro Icardi
One player who has all the ingredients to be a success at Real Madrid on the pitch and with the fans in Argentine striker Mauro Icardi.
The Inter Milan captain could be a great buy for Madrid as he has shown that he can score goals in abundance at a top club, as well as be a leader on the pitch for his side. Another aspect of Icardi that would win over the Real Madrid fans is his history with Barcelona. Icardi signed with Barcelona, playing for the U-17 team, but moving to Sampdoria before his big switch to Inter Milan.
Icardi is a great goalscorer and a threat in and around the penalty area; the Argentine has scored 120 goals in 201 appearances for Inter in all competitions. The Argentinian is a strong character, confident of his own abilities, and is certain to thrive at a big stage like the Bernabéu.
#1 Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is bound to play for Real Madrid in his career; it is a matter of 'when' and not 'if'. Recent reports have indicated that the Belgian captain will move to the Santiago Bernabeu in January, with reports suggesting that Hazard has already accepted terms with the Spanish giants, including a swap deal which will see Isco move the other way.
Hazard has not denied his ambition and "dream" to move to Madrid, and spoke openly about it in October, earlier this year: "I am really in the game, I am playing good football at the moment. Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I don't want to lie today. It is my dream since I was a kid. I was dreaming about this club. We will see. I don't want to talk about this every day. I don't have time, but we will talk about my future soon. I think so. It is also when you have a dream and you want to make it happen."
The Belgian has been Chelsea's key player in this season, having scored 8 goals and assisted 9 in the Premier League. Hazard will bring directness, pace, assists and goals to a Real Madrid team that has lacked leadership in the top end of the pitch.
