Real Madrid’s January priority revealed as Mourinho’s side rocked by injuries

10 Oct 2026 09:24 BST 2 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Real Madrid broke their transfer record in the summer when they signed Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, but the Bernabeu side are likely to be forced back into the market in January following the latest injury news coming out of Spain’s capital.

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While Madrid caught the headlines with the arrival of Diomande, manager Jose Mourinho had also been eager to sign an additional centre-back to bolster his squad ahead of the campaign.

Ultimately, he was unsuccessful and Los Blancos came into the season still lacking in numbers in an area that had been a weakness for them in the previous term.

And this inability to sign a new face appears ready to bite them ahead of Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.

As Real Madrid attempt to chase down Barcelona’s six-point advantage at the top of La Liga ahead of El Clasico in a fortnight, they will do so with their squad severely depleted at the club.

Dean Huijsen is missing due to suspension while Raul Asencio and long-term problem Eder Militao are both sidelined.

These problems were confirmed on Friday when the club made its official squad announcement for the fixture, listing just Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger as available central defensive options. And despite this, there are still some questions over Konate’s fitness after he was forced to leave the France camp early because of injury.

📋✅ Our squad for the match!
🆚 @VillarrealCFen https://t.co/YlHQ8vWQzf
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 9, 2026

Real Madrid’s centre-back shortlist includes Van Dijk and Quansah

This lack of depth leaves signing a new centre-back Mourinho’s absolute priority ahead of 2027.

Several options are being studied. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu at the end of his contract at Anfield next summer, though the Dutchman would appear an improbable January addition.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarrell Quansah is another player who is the subject of rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid, though the England defender, who can also play at right-back, is unlikely to leave mid-season. A further complicating factor in this mix is that Liverpool have a buy-back clause for him.

Another option who is being explored is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

While Real Madrid will be keeping their options open with two months before the transfer window re-opens, it is clear that Mourinho’s side are in need of central defensive cover, and if they drop points against Villarreal, that urgency will only become clearer.