5 players Real Madrid can target on Deadline Day

After a blockbuster 2016-17 season, seldom anybody might have foreseen Real Madrid spiralling down to the position they are currently at -- 19 points behind league leaders Barcelona and out of the Copa Del Rey. As if that wasn't enough, Los Blancos will face the unstoppable Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League.

In spite of the torrid times they have been going through, it is astounding to see Real Madrid sitting quietly in the transfer market. The month of January was probably their last and the best chance to make amends by signing players. However, they have refrained from signing any player, also incurring the wrath of their fans in the process.

That being said, let's have a look at the five players they can still sign as the transfer window draws to a close.

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#5 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio)

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been an integral part of Lazio

Lazio have been in fine form this season, thanks to the mammoth contribution of Ciro Immobile. However, another of Biancocelesti's players who deserves a worthy praise is Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The 22-year-old has attracted Manchester United and Juventus with dazzling performances in the Serie A. An imposing presence in Simeone Inzaghi's midfield, the 6ft 2in midfielder is adept at creating chances with through passes and excellent in winning aerial duels. Added to that, he is also a threat to the opponents from outside the box with his long shots.

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has played well, albeit not to the usual standard. If the statistics in their respective leagues are taken into account, Milinkovic-Savic outsmarts him in a number of departments.

He outclasses the Croatian in the key passes area, creating 1.38 key passes per game compared to the latter's 1.2. Also, he has won an average of 2.4 aerial duels per game(thanks to his tall stature) while Modric has only 0.3 under his belt.

Last but not the least, Savic has been involved in 9 goals (7 goals and 2 assists), totally overshadowing the 32-year-old's 2 goals and a single assist.

Lazio have stated their intention to refrain from selling their prized asset in this window, but an audacious last-minute bid could prove too hard for the Italian outfit to turn down.

#4 Leonardo Bonucci (AC Milan)

Leonardo Bonucci seems to be regretting his Rossoneri move

It was just at the start of this season when Leonardo Bonucci shocked the world after joining rivals AC Milan from Juventus. However, if the recent reports are to be believed, the Italian defender is regretting his move, given the Rossoneri's disappointing form. Milan are 7th in the league -- 23 points behind his league leaders Napoli.

At the start of the window, the player was reportedly interested in switching clubs with Chelsea rumoured to be his favourite destination, according to the Daily Star.

Bonucci has emerged as the better option on paper in comparison to Raphael Varane. The Italian has averaged 1.65 interceptions compared to the Frenchman's 1.2 in the league. Also, the 30-year-old has been better aerially, winning 1.6 aerial duels per game in contrast to the 24-year-old's 1.2. He has also won 0.9 tackles per game in comparison to Varane's 0.8.

With the prospect of facing PSG in the Champions League in mind, Zidane would do better by signing Leonardo Bonucci and shoring up Madrid's lacklustre defence.

#3 Julian Draxler (Paris Saint Germain)

Julian Draxler can solve a lot of worries at the Bernabeu

The arrivals of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe meant that Julian Draxler was going to be sidelined by hook or crook. The only ray of hope for first-team opportunities was if either of the two failed to perform up to the expectations.

However, the scenario is entirely different from what Draxler would have liked to see. Mbappe and Neymar have set the Ligue 1 alight with dazzling performances, thereby reducing the German's chances of having enough playing time. Just a year after he joined Paris Saint Germain, Julian Draxler is already looking for an escape route.

Gareth Bale's constant battle with injuries means that Real cannot guarantee the Welshman's fitness for the remainder of the season. Often due to his absence, Zidane has refrained from playing the usual 4-3-3 formation and shifted to 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-1-2 on many occasions. Julian Draxler's signing could be the perfect solutions to his problems.

As good as he is in the no.10 role behind the striker, Draxler is equally prolific while playing on the right flank. Added to that, he can also function well as a central midfielder.

Arsenal were in line to sign him in this window, but as of late, their interest seems to have cooled down. Paris Saint Germain had slapped a £40 million price tag on Draxler in December; an amount that certainly be shelled out by the Spanish giants.

Signing him will be a great coup for Real Madrid.

#2 Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)

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Mauro Icardi has been in fine form this season

Real Madrid's squandering strikers are a vital cause why goals have become hard to come by for them. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't yet returned to his former best while Karim Benzema has been under fire at the moment. Gareth Bale has been their glimmering ray of hope, but it would be far from prudent to pressurize him to score goals.

Mauro Icardi could be the ideal man to take care of the frontline for Los Blancos for the remainder of the season. The Argentinian has been in fine form for Inter Milan, netting 18 times in 24 appearances in all competitions. He could prove to be the catalyst Real require to find their missing form.

Should they succeed in signing him, he could be the next big Galactico and will most probably be the second player behind Coutinho to make the list of the world's most expensive footballers in this transfer window.

#1 Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)

Thibaut Courtois has been linked with a move to Real Madrid

The issue with goalkeeping has haunted Real Madrid the most since the start of this season. The absence of a stellar option in between the posts is one of the crucial reasons why Real Madrid have fallen miles behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid right now.

Adding to their woes, Los Blancos have already failed to sign Bilbao shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabagala this winter. In the present circumstances, Courtois can prove to be just the right man to replace Keylor Navas this season.

The Belgian has already been linked with a move to the Bernabeu and reportedly Real president, Florentino Perez is ready to offer Raphael Varane to sweeten the deal. Courtois has kept 12 clean sheets in 23 league games for Chelsea and conceded just 16 goals.

Real Madrid crashed out of the Copa Del Rey and look far from winning the league this season. Adding to that, they have been paired with Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League - the only competition they can hope to win this season.

With the prospect of facing mighty forwards like Edinson Cavani and Neymar in mind, signing Thibaut Courtois should be their top priority before the transfer window slams shut.