5 Moves Real Madrid Need to Make in the January Transfer Window

Even the gargantuan establishment that is the world-famed Real Madrid have felt the pinch of the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, powering through an eye-wateringly expensive stadium revamp amid the crisis doesn't help.

Nevertheless, finances may be tight for the regal Spanish giants but there are a number of moves the powers that be can make to help Zinedine Zidane overhaul their city rivals Atlético Madrid at La Liga's summit.

1. Jettison Want-Away Second String

Zidane guided Real Madrid to three crucial wins in a season-defining week at the start of December by relying upon his trusted old guard and a largely unchanged team.

This may have propelled Madrid back into the title race, but it also highlighted the status of plenty of players in the squad. Tellingly, none of Isco, Luka Jovic, or Mariano Diaz started any of them.

While Isco reportedly wants to leave, Jovic and Diaz have been linked with no shortage of suitors. Jettisoning the trio's wage bill alone would be well received by those in Madrid's accounting department - and scarcely affect results on the pitch.

2. Tie Down Sergio Ramos

He may be 34 years of age, he may rub some people up the wrong way, he may spend a little too much time on his beard, but Sergio Ramos continues to be the linchpin of Real Madrid's defence.

Aside from the worrisome, repeated occurrence of Raphael Varane morphing into a skittish wreck when the club captain isn't there, Ramos remains world class in isolation.

Now in the final year of his contract, Zidane has hinted that an agreement is very much on the cards for Ramos and an extension announcement would bring a swift end to any distracting speculation - which is only mounting given the Spain international can soon negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs.

3. Give Lucas Vazquez the Extension He Deserves

The unglamorous, old-school wide man has proven himself worthy of at least another year in the Spanish capital with a wealth of under-the-radar but impressive performances across a number of positions this season.

As a consistent favourite of Zidane, surely a 12-month extension would be a sensible and simple crowd-pleaser.

4. Midfield Reinforcements

Luka Modric has enjoyed a mini-renaissance over Madrid's latest unbeaten run but, unlike Ramos (one year his junior), has shown signs of decline from his lofty peak.

Even with the ageing Croatian, Madrid only have four senior central midfielders (which is worrying for a team which looks best in a 4-3-3, i.e. with three of them on the pitch). Fede Valverde is an exciting and ready-made replacement for Modric but Casemiro is the only player in the squad who truly thrives anchoring a midfield.

Madrid may have to wait until the summer but would be greatly helped if they could recruit a midfielder capable of taking the strain off Casemiro, and is also equipped to play alongside him.

Sassuolo's 22-year-old Manuel Locatelli is a player which ticks plenty of boxes but if Madrid want someone a little more high profile...

5. Snap Up David Alaba

After an unrelenting update of non-existent progress, Bayern Munich finally appear to have conceded that David Alaba's future lies outside of Bavaria.

With six months left on a contract in no danger of being extended, Madrid could either snap Alaba up for cut-price fee in January, or pen a pre-contract agreement to bring him to the Bernabeu for free next summer.

Not only does Alaba present an alternative at centre-back and left-back but the trophy-laden Austria international - who is still, somehow, only 28 - is also adept in midfield.