Real Madrid transfer news: Mega swap between Madrid and Chelsea, Madrid to sign English wonderkid

Real Madrid have had a very poor start to the La Liga season as they languish in fourth place, 5 points behind leaders, Barcelona. Madrid have already gone through one manager this season, as former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui was fired in October and Santiago Solari replaced him.

Madrid will be active in the January transfer window as they desperately need to add goals to their team, as the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo has been heavily felt by Los Blancos.

In today's Real Madrid transfer news round-up, we look at some massive deals that could happen in January as Madrid's hierarchy look to add some fresh blood to the team in their quest to win the league.

#1 Huge swap deal involving Chelsea and Real Madrid

It's an open secret that Real Madrid are interested in the signing of Chelsea and Belgium attacker Eden Hazard, and the player himself is very keen on a move to Los Blancos. Hazard has spoken about his desire to don the famed white jersey of Real Madrid, and that transfer may very well happen in January.

According to The Guardian and other sources, Real Madrid may offer Spanish midfielder Isco, in a swap deal to bring Hazard to the Santiago Bernabéu. Isco hasn't been featuring heavily for Real Madrid this season, and had been linked with a move to Manchester City. The Spaniard, who joined Madrid in 2013, has scored 4 goals in 18 competitions in this season for Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has encouraged Hazard to stay at Stamford Bridge: “He’s certainly one of the players who has given this club a lot of satisfaction. He is 27, and hopefully, he will stay long with us and become even bigger,” said the Chelsea legend about Hazard.

#2 Update on Exequiel Palacios transfer

20-year-old Exequiel Palacios (L) has been linked with a move from River Plate to Real Madrid

Real Madrid have been linked with Argentina and River Plate midfielder Exequiel Palacios, for the last few weeks, and many speculated that a deal to sign the 20-year-old could be finalised soon.

But River Plate president Rodolfo D'Onofrio has squashed those reports by saying that Madrid haven't formally placed a bid yet and that only one conversation has taken place regarding the signing of the 20-year-old Palacios.

Speaking to Radio La Red (via Sportsmole), D'Onofrio said: "With Real Madrid we only spoke on one occasion. Emilio Butragueno (Real Madrid's director of institutional relations) called Enzo Francescoli (River's sports director) and told him that they would like to talk to us about the player. But when we were in Spain, they did not make any contact with us about him.

#3 Los Blancos interested in English starlet

Sancho has been on fire for Borussia Dortmund this season

One of the young English stars who is tipped to become a very important player for England in the future is Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, who has been on fire in the Bundesliga this season.

And it seems like Real Madrid are the latest club to be interested in the signature of the former Manchester City winger, according to Sport360. Madrid will have to fend off interest from German giants Bayern Munich, who are also interested in signing Sancho, who could replace the likes of Ribery or Robben in the team.

The 18-year-old winger moved to the German side last year from Manchester City, and was given an opportunity in the first team which he's had grabbed with both hands. Sancho is having a dream run this season, having scored 7 goals and assisted 11 times in all competitions for Dortmund.