Real Madrid discussed a January signing but hesitated at the final step – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s short-term transfer plans appear to be taking shape, and the message coming out of the club is one of restraint rather than urgency. 

According to information shared by journalist Rodra in ESPN, voices inside Real Madrid have acknowledged that the idea of making a signing during the winter transfer window was discussed internally. 

However, despite the current sporting and structural concerns, the club’s leadership believes that a January move is highly unlikely.

It must be noted that on the pitch, the situation is far from calm. Xabi Alonso’s side is not enjoying its strongest spell of the season. 

Sitting second in La Liga, Madrid find themselves four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, a gap that has increased the pressure around the club. 

At the same time, tension has been growing inside Valdebebas, where debates about the direction of the project and Alonso’s future have begun to surface more openly.

Critical state of defence

For what it is worth, one of the main sporting concerns is the state of Madrid’s defence. 

Real Madrid decided not to sign a new player in January. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The back line is operating under clear strain, and the long-term injury to Eder Militao has only deepened the problem. 

With limited depth at centre-back, the idea of reinforcing the squad midway through the season naturally came up in internal discussions. 

Yet, despite recognising the issue, the club hierarchy is reluctant to act in January.

The reasoning behind this stance is largely strategic. Finding a top-quality defender in the middle of the season is rarely straightforward. 

Clubs are unwilling to sell key players, prices tend to rise sharply, and there is little margin for error when integrating a new signing into a demanding environment like Real Madrid. 

Instead, Real Madrid are working with the idea that a defensive signing will arrive in the summer of 2026, not during the upcoming winter window. 

By then, the market will be clearer, targets will be easier to assess, and the club will have a full picture of the squad needs based on a complete season of data.