The transfer window is a time when many teams are looking for reinforcements to try and turn around the second half of their seasons.
Real Madrid is not one of those teams, as they currently sit atop La Liga and have been nearly unbeatable all season long.
So what did they do? Went out and signed two of the most prized players on the market.
Earlier this week, Real signed 16-year-old Norwegian wonder-kid Martin Odegaard, and today they have agreed on a deal for Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva.
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Silva comes from Brazilian side Cruzeiro, a club he has helped capture the league title each of the past two seasons. He was also named the league’s best defensive midfielder in 2014.
At 21-years-old, Silva will cost Real a reported transfer fee of about $16 million as the playmaker will sign a contract to keep him at the Bernabeu until 2020.
The midfielder has drawn comparisons to Xabi Alonso, known for his smarts defensively while also possessing great vision on the pitch.
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Asier Illarramendi was brought to Real over the summer to replace Xabi Alonso, but has failed to maintain a starting role for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Illarramendi, who cost the club over $30 million, now faces more competition in an already loaded lineup.
Rumors have been swirling that Silva’s arrival will mark the end of Illarramendi’s short run at Real, but his manager said the club has no plans to move the defensive midfielder in the January transfer window.
