Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid hierarchy divided over January transfer window plans as details emerge: Reports

According to a report by MundoDeportivo, Carlo Ancelotti and the Real Madrid hierarchy are divided over the club's January transfer window plans. The LaLiga champions are currently reeling from consecutive losses against Barcelona and AC Milan, and some sections of the club consider reinforcements key.

Following Dani Carvajal's injury, Los Blancos have been light on the right side of their defense and have been linked with a move for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold. The English defender's contract with the Anfield-based outfit is set to expire in the summer, and a move for him in the winter window will depend on whether an affordable deal can be agreed with the 20-time English champions.

Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation of Red Bull Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba. They missed out on Leny Yoro in the summer as the French teenager opted to move to Manchester United. They might have to shell out up to €40 million to secure his services from the German side.

The Madrid-based side will have to settle on their strategy before the window opens, with the first half of their LaLiga and UEFA Champions League defenses not going to plan. Los Blancos currently sit in second place in the league, nine points behind leaders Barcelona after their 4-0 mauling at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Meanwhile, they are 18th in the Champions League after two wins and two defeats.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti responds to Federico Valverde's wife's complaint about his tactics on X

Carlo Ancelotti has responded to comments made by the partner of Real Madrid star Federico Valverde on X, where she questioned the manager's use of the Uruguayan midfielder. The 26-year-old star's wife, Mina Bonino blasted the Italian manager for using the midfielder in an unfamiliar position in the loss against AC Milan.

In comments made on her account on the popular social media platform, Bonino wrote:

"Fede plays best as a pivot… Hahaha when are they going to understand once and *** that Fede is not a winger?"

After the match, the five-time UEFA Champions League-winning manager was asked about his views on the comments. He played down the incident, telling the press (via GetFootballNewsSpain):

“Valverde’s wife’s words on X? It’s difficult to give an opinion on what people write on social media. I changed Valverde because he wasn’t 100%.”

Valverde has played 274 games for Real Madrid since joining the club in 2018, with 172 coming under Carlo Ancelotti. The pair will likely add another appearance to their joint games together this weekend when they host Osasuna in LaLiga and attempt to end their two-game losing streak.