Real Madrid prepares its list for the right back in January

Real Madrid needs a right back and will sign one, the question is when and how many. After Lucas Vázquez suffered once again against Barcelona on Sunday night, the debate within the club has been reignited over whether to look for a defender in the January market.

The main option if they did so would be to make a new bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Liverpool have been reluctant to let the England international go in this transfer window.

Within the club, the coaching staff has been firm that another option is necessary, and there are more and more voices within the club that agree with them. However, the hierarchy, left by president Florentino Pérez, at least initially decided to hold out until the end of the season, when Alexander-Arnold will arrive for free in the summer. If they sign, it will be a player that will tie them down until his arrival, since they do not want to have long-term problems signing another starter along with Dani Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold.

That means Real Madrid are open to a loan, as Chelsea’s Reece James mentions in Diario AS. Former academy right-back Alex Jimenenz, currently at AC Milan after a permanent move was completed last summer, is another option but they would have to negotiate. Los Blancos also have a buyback option on Jiménez.

Reece James is in #Real Madrid“The short list for a January transfer”. (AS Newspaper) #ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/uuAukt1kGg

— Soccer Spain (@footballespana_) January 15, 2025

People like Pedro Porro, Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong are well liked, but they are all considered too expensive. Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu is another one they have looked at, but he remains several levels below their long list of targets. In terms of La Liga options, Sevilla’s Juanlu Sánchez would be available for between €10m and €15m, amid interest from RB Leipzig. Real Sociedad’s Jon Aramburu is another they like, but he would probably be more expensive and therefore more unlikely.

Two other veteran and surprising names on the table are Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard and free agent Serge Aurier. The 28-year-old has a high salary and has been in and out of action with a knee injury, but his ability to play at both right-back and centre-back is attractive to Real Madrid. Aurier, 32, would also have to satisfy physical issues, after spending the last six months without playing after leaving Galatasaray. It would be the most economical option.

The other options at Ancelotti’s disposal are Fede Valverde or Castilla right-back Lorenzo Aguado. The Italian coach has been reluctant to use youth players until now, and with Los Blancos’ midfield not functioning as it is, sacking Valverde is not an ideal option.