Several months into the 2024-25 season, Real Madrid’s attention turns to the second half and beyond.

January’s transfer window is the perfect opportunity to strengthen the team for the rest of the season and beyond, while the summer of 2025 will be for longer-term investments.

With Los Blancos already hit by injuries and a gap in defence, all eyes are on the club’s moves in the coming months.

Defence: Replacements for Militao

With Eder Militao’s ACL injury, Real Madrid is short in central defence.

Initially, they thought they could fix the problem short-term, but now they are looking for a defender who can play for years to come. 

Spanish outlet AS says Carlo Ancelotti’s side has three primary targets, all of whom have experience and can slot into the team straight away.

Top of Real Madrid’s list is Aymeric Laporte, currently at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

With his reliability and tactical sense from his years at Manchester City, Laporte would bring stability and experience to the defence.

His current salary in Saudi Arabia is substantial, but Real Madrid’s offer would require him to take a big pay cut if he returned to Europe.

If Laporte is out of reach, Madrid’s next options are Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig, a young talent with athleticism and skill, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.

Tah’s contract runs out next summer, so he could be an affordable option in January as Madrid looks at long-term solutions at the back.

The club quickly ruled Sergio Ramos’ potential return out, and they have decided not to fix the problem short-term and bring in a defender to cover Militao’s absence.

They don’t want to sign a free agent or a short-term loan so that any move will be with the long-term in mind.

Young Talent: Saba Kharebashili

Another one who’s caught Madrid’s eye is 16-year-old Georgian Saba Kharebashili.

Playing for Dinamo Tbilisi, Kharebashili has already made history by becoming the youngest player to play in a UEFA competition.

A left-back who can also play as a central defensive midfielder, Kharebashili has been monitored by top European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Reports from Italy and Spain say he has great technique, maturity, and tactical awareness, making him a prized asset.

With Dinamo Tbilisi based in Spain, the chances of Kharebashvili joining a La Liga club have increased.

Real Madrid have a reputation for buying young talents to develop future stars, and Kharebashvili fits the bill perfectly.

If he joins Los Blancos, it would be a statement of intent on youth development and a long-term replacement in the defensive line.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: The Long Game

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s name has been mentioned as a possible signing for Real Madrid, and the fans and pundits are excited.

His contract at Liverpool runs out at the end of the season, and the rumours are that his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or could see him move to Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold would strengthen the right-back position and bring creativity to the team.

He’s known for pushing forward, delivering precise crosses, and influencing the game from deeper pitch areas.

His Premier League and Champions League experience would be an instant boost to Madrid.

Liverpool may try to keep their homegrown player, but Real Madrid as a club and the chance to play for one of the biggest teams in Europe might be too big an opportunity to turn down.

Youth and Experience

Real Madrid’s policy is to mix youth with experience, and 2025 might be no different.

With Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo already making an impact up front, the club’s moves this season will be more about building a balanced team.

Adding young talents like Kharebashvili alongside experienced players like Laporte is the Madrid way of balancing potential with experience.

Another factor is Vinicius Jr himself, who has been offered a world record deal by Paris Saint-Germain.

If Madrid were to accept the offer they would need to find a replacement for him, which would free up space and a spot in the squad for a big signing.

But Madrid’s history of keeping its stars suggests it won’t let him go.

It prefers to keep its core players to build a winning team.

Looking Ahead

Real Madrid’s 2025 transfer windows will write the next chapter of the club’s history.

A signing like Alexander-Arnold would be an immediate boost and tactical evolution while investing in Kharebashvili would secure the future.

The shortlist for center-backs shows a focused approach, not just looking for talent but also a commitment to the club's long-term goals.

If you want to make the most of the transfer speculation, you can find exclusive ESPN Bet promo codes on Covers.

As fans speculate on who will wear the white shirt next season, Real Madrid’s targets in defence and attack are making headlines across Europe, and sportsbooks are changing their odds accordingly.

These decisions will be the key to whether Real Madrid can continue to balance a strong, experienced team with young talent to come.

With the January window around the corner and a big summer ahead, Real Madrid's moves in 2025 will define their team for years to come.

Fans and pundits will be watching closely, and as the transfer window opens, it’s clear Real Madrid is aiming high.