Will Real Madrid sign a centre-back during January transfer window?

Los Blancos decided against moving for a central defender over the summer despite losing the long-serving Nacho on a free transfer.

David Alaba remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury, while Eder Militao picked up a thigh problem on international duty with Brazil, and he is expected to be on the sidelines for at least the next couple of weeks.

As a result, Aurelien Tchouameni or Dani Carvajal could be pressed into action in the middle of the defence for the team's next couple of fixtures.

According to Marca, despite Real Madrid's issues in that area of the field, the club will resist the temptation to target a new centre-back in January and will instead wait until next summer to make their move.

When is Alaba due to return?

Alaba has been missing since last December due to an ACL injury, but the Austrian has recently started running, and he is expected to be back before the end of 2024.

Real Madrid are said to be optimistic that the experienced defender will return to full fitness over the next three months, while Militao should return before the end of September despite suffering a muscular issue during a Brazil training session.

Jesus Vallejo is still at the club, but the 27-year-old has not played a single minute of football for Los Blancos this term.

The centre-back is believed to have been told over the summer that he was not a part of Carlo Ancelotti's plans moving forward, but he refused to leave, with his contract having another 12 months left to run.

What about wonderkid Martinez?

Joan Martinez is being tipped as a future first-team star for Real Madrid, with the 17-year-old making a big impression during the club's pre-season tour of the United States over the summer.

However, the Spaniard has been forced to undergo an operation after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Had Martinez been available, there is a strong chance that he would have been involved in the matchday squad in the early stages of this season, and Militao's injury could have opened the door for him to play against Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid were linked with Leny Yoro over the summer, but the Frenchman instead joined Manchester United from Lille, and he is also on the sidelines until November, having suffered a fractured metatarsal against Arsenal during pre-season.