Real Madrid target FIVE Prem stars in January swoop

Ross Gibson
Zinedine Zidane: Poses with Florentino Perez

Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez has set his sights on raiding a number of Premier League stars in January, as he looks to help strengthen Zinedine Zidane’s squad.

Zidane’s side have endured a difficult season thus far, and already sit eight points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Questions have been thrown around about Zinedine Zidane and the club’s hierarchy, after they allowed some important members of the senior squad to leave in the summer – with the likes of Pepe, James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata all leaving Los Blancos.

Speaking after their loss to Spurs in the Champions League last week, Christiano Ronaldo stated: “The players who have arrived have a lot of potential but Pepe, Morata, James, made us stronger, but those who are here today are younger.”

The club do boast some of the most promising Spanish talents within their ranks, with Marco Asensio, Dani Ceballos and Marcos Llorente all involved in the senior set-up.

However, only Asensio has impressed so far at Santiago Bernabeu during his breakthrough season last year, and the current campaign.

Diario Gol report that Perez has drawn up a shortlist of no fewer than 10 players that he would like to sign in the January transfer window.

All 10 players – of which five currently play in the Premier League – see their contracts run out at the end of the season, meaning Perez could get them at a ‘cut price’.

Alexis Sanchez is one of the players at the very top of that list, as he looks set to leave Arsenal either for a fee in January, or on a free in the summer.

Manchester United pair Ander Herrera and Juan Mata are two more players that have been mentioned as being on the list.

A third United player also features, in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but considering he hasn’t played since April, and with him being 36-years-old, it’s unlikely Real will actually make a move for the Swede.

And, even if they did make a move for Ibrahimovic, the player would be unlikely to accept terms – having already openly expressed his desire to win a Premier League title before he retires.

Liverpool’s Emre Can is the final name that features, amid rumours that the player is in a contract stalemate with the Reds.

Talks between Can and Liverpool have been going on for over a year, and the more time passes would see the bigger chance of him leaving Anfield.