5 players who have been linked with January moves to Real Madrid

Real Madrid are flying in La Liga this season and have done well in the Champions League too. The Spanish giants are eight points clear of second-placed Sevilla, while their derby rivals, Atletico Madrid, are 17 points behind.

Despite losing the likes of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane last summer, Madrid have played exceptionally well under Carlo Ancelotti. However, the manager is looking to make things better and the club are working on getting players.

Los Blancos have not spent a lot and have the money they were looking to spend on Kylian Mbappe in the summer. They had two bids rejected for the Paris Saint-Germain star but are unlikely to make a move in January.

Here are 5 players who have been linked with January moves to Real Madrid:

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#5 - Ryan Gravenberch

AFC Ajax v Borussia Dortmund: Group C - UEFA Champions League

Ryan Gravenberch has been in excellent form for Ajax for over a year. Hence, the Dutch midfielder is slowly making his way to the transfer list at several clubs. Real Madrid are looking to jump the queue and sign him in January.

According to Sky Italia and MARCA reports, Gravenberch is Madrid's top target for the winter transfer window.

The midfielder has a contract until 2023 at the Eredivise side, and thus, Los Blancos might be forced to wait until the summer, at least.

Real Madrid's best chance of landing the Dutchman in January would be to offer him on loan back to Ajax for the rest of the season.

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#4 - Maxence Lacroix

VfL Wolfsburg v Lille OSC: Group G - UEFA Champions League

Maxence Lacroix has been doing well for Wolfsburg, and Real Madrid noticed it quickly. The Frenchman has the pace and positional awareness of a young Raphael Varane, and that has seen the Spanish side send scouts to watch him.

If reports in Spain are to be believed, Lacroix is the defender Carlo Ancelotti has asked Florentino Perez to sign in the winter transfer window. The 21-year-old has been a vital part of the Bundesliga side's starting XI and is unlikely to come for cheap.

Chelsea are also said to be in the hunt for Lacroix as they are set to lose two of their top defenders. Antonio Rudiger has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, while Andreas Christensen is reportedly on Barcelona's radar. Thomas Tuchel wants a pacy defender who can replace the German at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are set to go head-to-head with Madrid for the Wolfsburg star.

#3 - Victor Osimhen

SSC Napoli v Legia Warszawa: Group C - UEFA Europa League

Karim Benzema is in top form for Real Madrid, while Luka Jovic has also been chipping in when needed. Kylian Mbappe is reportedly just months away from arriving at the club, but Real Madrid are still keen on adding more strikers.

As per Defensa Central [via The Hard Tackle], Victor Osimhen is a target for January as Carlo Ancelotti wants to bolster his attack.

The Spanish publication claims Madrid see Osimhen as an alternative to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian is set to cost a lot because of his agent fees and signing on bonus over the release clause.

Osimhen has been doing well for Napoli this season and is reportedly valued at €80 million by the Serie A side.

Osimhen will not be heading to the AFCON in January after he was left out of the Nigerian squad. He is currently out with COVID and thus any move is likely to happen towards the end of the window.

#2 - Matheus Nascimento

Real Madrid have an eye for young talent and the 'gamble' they took with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo proves they are risks worth taking. As per a report, Matheus Nascimento is the latest on Madrid's radar and the 17-year-old striker could be heading to the Bernabeu in January.

The striker is nicknamed 'Little Cavani' and is reportedly valued at just £4.5 million. Real Madrid might have to wait a while before registering him, as specific rules will make them wait until the player turns 18.

Nascimento's contract at Botafogo is set to expire in 2023 and has attracted interest from a few clubs in Europe. Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk are said to be the one leading the race right now for the young striker.

#1 - Denzel Dumfries

FC Internazionale v Torino FC - Serie A

Denzel Dumfries joined Inter Milan in the summer to replace Achraf Hakimi but has already been linked with a move away from San Siro. As per Sport, Real Madrid are looking to bring the Dutchman to the Bernabeu as cover for Dani Carvajal.

Los Blancos are keen on signing a backup to their star right-back this winter and see the Inter star as the ideal fit for Carlo Ancelotti's system.

Inter Milan's financial situation has stabilized, and the Serie A side might not have to sell their top players in order to buy. They were forced to sell Achraf Hakimi in the summer before Romelu Lukaku decided to leave for Chelsea later in the window.