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Real Madrid are widely regarded as one of the most successful clubs in the history of the game. Their record of 33 LaLiga titles and a staggering 13 Champions League crowns is the highest of any club in world football and Los Blancos have cemented their status as a certified superpower in the sport.
Over the years, the club have also developed a reputation of making big-money additions to their squad, as the term Galacticos was coined in the early 2000s to describe the club's major signings. Florentino Perez, the president of the record Spanish champions, has been one of the most influential footballing personalities in the modern era and the Spaniard has engineered the club's success from behind the scenes, as the 72-year-old resumed his second stint at the club in 2009.
The businessman capped off his victory in the presidential elections that year with a series of high profile additions to the squad, with the £80 million capture of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United his most defining capture at the helm of the club. The likes of Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema soon followed suit and Los Blancos went on to change the landscape of things in European football, as they won 4 Champions League crowns in the decade that followed, including a historic 3-peat of club football's biggest prize.
Ronaldo's untimely departure coupled with Zinedine Zidane's resignation in the summer of 2018 led to the club going through a transition of sorts, as they struggled to replace their talisman and refrained from spending the big bucks. After going trophyless and losing their Champions League crown to Liverpool, Los Blancos sent out a massive statement of intent with by splashing in the excess of £300 million on as many as 6 new additions, as Eden Hazard finally secured his dream move to the Spanish capital.
Zidane, since taking over the reins for his second stint at the club, has coached the club out of a tricky situation and the Spanish giants are back competing on all fronts this season. While they are well equipped to tackle European as well as domestic competitions, there have been reports that Real are on the lookout for reinforcements in the January transfer window, as they look to shore up their squad for the business end of the season.
On that note, here are a list of their transfer targets and the likelihood of their potential moves to the Spanish capital.
5. Reiner Jesus - Flamengo
Real Madrid have developed a reputation of snapping up Brazilian youngsters and the recurring theme is said to continue with the signing of Reiner Jesus from Flamengo. The 17-year-old has an agreement with Los Blancos and will reportedly sign a long-term deal with the club after his 18th birthday later this month.
Reiner is regarded as one of the hottest commodities in world football and managers have waxed lyrical about him over the years, as he's been likened with the legendary Kaka. His vision, close control and ability to strike the ball from outside the area had drawn comparisons from the former Real Madrid midfielder and the youngster is expected to become a key player for club and country in the future.
The youngster is set to follow Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes in making the move to the Spanish capital from Brazil in recent seasons and is set to link up with the squad imminently, after completing the necessary formalities of the deal.
Likelihood of Reiner Jesus to Real Madrid - 9/10, transfer set to be completed imminently.
4. Eduardo Camaviga - Stade Rennes
17-year-old Eduardo Camaviga has been one of the breakthrough stars of the current season, as he's burst onto the scene with a series of eye-catching performances for Stade Rennes in Ligue 1. Technically gifted and composed well beyond his years, the Angola born midfielder made history by becoming the youngest player in the history of the club, as debuted against Angers at the age of 16 years, 4 months and 27 days earlier this season.
French outlet L'Equipe reported in December that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the midfield sensation, as they look up their personnel in the centre of the park. With Luka Modric in the twilight years of his career, Camaviga has been earmarked as a potential replacement for the Croatian.
Although Los Blancos are chasing his signature, Rennes are believed to be courting a nine-figure proposal that would seemingly make it impossible for them to cash in on their prized asset.
Likelihood of Eduardo Camaviga to Real Madrid - 3/10, Los Blancos are seemingly priced out of a move for him
3. Fabian Ruiz - SSC Napoli
Fabian Ruiz, since making a move to Napoli from Real Betis, has made a name for himself as one of the finest players in his position and the Spaniard is reportedly being courted by Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, amongst others. Los Blancos have been keeping tabs on the skilful midfielder for well over a year now and made an unsuccessful move to acquire his services last summer, as the 23-year-old opted to stay in Italy to further his development.
While the Cityzens could be frontrunners for his signature to replace the outgoing David Silva this summer, the lure of the 13-time Champions League winners could be too much to turn down for the Spaniard.
Spanish publication AS confirmed in December that the record LaLiga champions held initial talks with Ruiz's representatives earlier in the season, adding that Napoli would be willing to part their midfielder for a fee in the excess of €100 million. While Manchester City are also in the running, it remains possible that he lands up at Real, either in January or the summer.
Likelihood of Fabian Ruiz to Real Madrid - 4/10, a January switch seems unlikely at this stage of the transfer window
2. Paul Pogba - Manchester United
Paul Pogba's situation makes this transfer all the more interesting, as the midfielder has never hidden his desire to link up with compatriot Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid. The World Cup winner, now in his fourth season with Manchester United after joining the club on a then world-record deal worth £89 million, has reportedly grown disgruntled with life in England and is aiming to secure a dream move to Los Blancos.
Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer categorically quashed rumours of a potential rift between the pair, there remains an air of inevitability around the fact that the 27-year-old will dorn the Real Madrid shirt at some point in the future. The Frenchman is represented by super-agent Mino Raiola, which adds fuel to the fire when it comes to a potential transfer. A big-money move to the Spanish capital is unlikely in January owing to the epic financial proportions of the deal but Raiola could well broker a deal for his most high profile client in world football.
Not a single transfer window passes by without the midfielder being linked with a move to Zidane's side and it remains to be seen if his dream move comes to fruition, be it in January or the summer.
Likelihood of Paul Pogba to Real Madrid - 5/10, maybe a surprise is on the cards?
1. Kylian Mbappe - Paris-Saint Germain
Much like Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid is only a matter of when, as opposed to if and the French wonderkid's long-standing desire to wear dorn the white shirt of the Spanish giants could well come to fruition this year.
While Mbappe's dad said in the wake of his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 that his son would have joined Los Blancos if Zidane was in charge in 2013 when he had trials at the club as a youth player, Zidane himself as admitted in recent weeks that he'd love to work with his countryman.
"I am already in love with him. I know it's Kylian's dream to play for Real Madrid."
The youngster idolized Cristiano Ronaldo growing up and the idea of potential emulating the legendary Portuguese international's legacy at the club is believed to be a defining factor in the deal. Multiple news outlets, both local as well as international, have confirmed Real Madrid's intention to sign the player, with Spanish publication AS describing the move as 'inevitable' and it remains to be seen if he seals his dream move to the Spanish capital.
Likelihood of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid - 5/10, slim chances in Janury but as sources say in Spain, it's inevitable at some point in the future.
