The winter transfer market usually presents few options for clubs are unwilling to let go of players mid-season unless they have a gross excess of players in the position.
Real Madrid’s hunt for a new centre-back in January, should they opt to turn to the transfer market, will thus not be easy.
There have been contrasting reports over how Los Blancos plan to overcome their defensive crisis, but one of the primary targets for them should they make a new signing in January is Jonathan Tah.
The German defender’s signing was initially considered to be possible owing to his contract which runs out in the summer which means that Bayer Leverkusen must sell him in January so as to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
Now, according to AS, however, the Bundesliga champions do not mind letting the player go for free and are unwilling to sell him in January.
Needless to say, this comes as a huge blow to Real Madrid’s plans as Tah was one of the few possible targets for the mid-season market.
Several clubs are interested in the centre-back including Premier League sides, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but they will all have to wait until the summer as it stands.
The new hurdle makes Tah’s arrival in Madrid very complicated, and the administration must quickly identify alternate targets in the department.
As it stands, academy stars including Raul Asencio will be the manager’s first bet to join Antonio Rudiger in central defence.
Moreover, David Alaba is said to be in the final stretch of his recovery and could return to the field as early as December.