Real Madrid star who suffered long-term injury last season set for return in early 2025: Reports

According to a recent report by Spanish outlet AS (via Madrid Universal), Real Madrid defender David Alaba could return to action in early 2025. The Austrian international has been out since December 2023 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Alaba sustained the injury in his left knee in a LaLiga clash with Villarreal. He hasn't played since then and has been taking gradual steps towards recovery.

The 32-year-old suffered a rare kind of knee injury and has been undergoing special treatment. Due to the nature of his injury, club doctor hinted that the former Bayern Munich star might be out for a long time.

Now, as per the abovementioned report, Alaba is close to completing his recovery and could be up for selection in the early period of 2025. He has been undergoing light training sessions and running on the grass in the past few weeks.

The centre-back has been out for 380 days and has missed 59 games for Real Madrid since then. Alaba’s reported early return will be a huge boost for Carlo Ancelotti’s side who have endured an injury crisis this season.

Los Blancos have been heavily undermanned in the defensive department, with Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger being the manager’s only major center-back options.

Aurelien Tchouameni has been deployed as a makeshift centre-back occasionally. However, the Frenchman recently suffered an ankle injury and is expected to be out for about six weeks. This further reduces Ancelotti’s defensive options.

Real Madrid have made the signing of a defender a priority in 2025. However, Alaba’s return will be an additional boost for the LaLiga giants as they look to defend their league and continental titles.

Real Madrid's hopes of signing Liverpool defender in January suffers major blow

Los Blancos aim to strengthen their defensive unit and have made signing a defender in 2025 a top priority. They have been heavily linked with a move for Liverpool's right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold for quite some time.

Their pursuit of the England right-back intensified after Dani Carvajal suffered a severe knee injury in October. However, according to Football Insider (via Sports Mole), Liverpool will not sell Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid in January.

The Reds have enjoyed a good start to the season under Arne Slot, leading the Premier League table with just one loss in 10 games. The manager wants to keep the core of his first team. Real Madrid will now be forced to look for other options in the January transfer market.

Los Blancos are said to be also eyeing Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Sevilla’s Juanlu Sanchez (as per Football Espana).