Change of plans: Real Madrid eye January signings

The club took a firm stance regarding their transfer policy come January. No signings were required and both Zidane and Perez still trusted the men who lifted the double just a few months ago, first La Liga and then a second consecutive Champions League in June. 

Fast-forward five months and the plans seem to have altered slightly. According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid are seriously considering a big-money signing to bolster their lines for the second half of the season, all the while maintaining the backbone of the team which is paramount for Zidane.

The reigning Spanish champions have been far from convincing in the early months of the domestic competition and for that reason they have deemed a change necessary, despite their traditional reluctance to take action in the winter transfer window. 

The team has underperformed and failed to live up to the standards set in Zidane's previous seasons, which is why the French manager and the club's directors are determined to find new recruits that can improve the squad. Several names are being considered at the Santiago Bernabeu offices.

Taking this into account, Zidane is wary of the dangers of going to the market. He does not want to compromise the balance of the team and offloading any less-regular players is out of the question for the Real boss. However, if new faces arrive, it will not be surprising to see the likes of Borja Mayoral or Marcos Llorente leave on loan until the end of the season.