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What’s the story?
Real Madrid are not known for spending in the January transfer window but desperate times call for desperate measures. The Spanish giants are 8 points behind Barcelona in the league table and they are keen on closing the gap as soon as possible.
With Zidane asking for fresh faces in the squad, the Madrid board decided to hold a meeting to discuss the transfer strategies for next month. As per reports in Marca, Los Blancos have decided to spend on Mauro Icardi and Kepa Arrizabalaga mainly with Timo Werner and a centre-back also in talks.
In case you didn’t know...
Real Madrid have not been spending much in the winter transfer window. When they have made signings in between the season, they ended with players like Emmanuel Adebayor, Antonio Cassano and Lucas Silva.
The heart of the matter
Signing a replacement for Karim Benzema is the need of the hour for Madrid and they are planning to do so next month. Mauro Icardi and Timo Werner are the top targets for Los Blancos right now and they have decided to make the Italian their top priority.
Icardi's agent has claimed that the striker is worth €200 million but Madrid are confident of signing him for €89 million. Inter Milan are reluctant to sell their club captain but with Madrid calling, the player is reportedly set to force the move.
The deal for Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga is all but done according to various reports. It's believed that the Spaniard is set to cost them €43 million.
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Author’s take
Real Madrid need to make signings in January if they have to even come close to winning a title this season. They have been below par and Zidane has no proper alternatives to his current XI.
