Carlo Ancelotti clashes with Real Madrid hierarchy over January transfer plans | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti's pleas for reinforcements in the January transfer window have been dismissed internally by club officials, a report has claimed.

Despite the summer arrivals of forwards Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, Madrid have struggled to show their best form this season. They sit second in La Liga, 20th in the Champions League standings and were recently thumped 5-2 by Barcelona in the Super Cup final.

Concerns about a lack of depth in defence have been exacerbated once again this season following injuries to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, while David Alaba made it back to the bench in the Super Cup final for the first time since tearing his ACL in December 2023.

The Athletic state Ancelotti has made no secret of his desire for reinforcements this month amid concerns that Madrid will fall short of their 2024/25 targets, but those feelings are not shared by those in charge.

Indeed, club officials do not believe significant signings are wise in the January transfer window - their last winter signing was the £26m acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Reinier in 2020.

There is an agreement that a new centre-back and right-back are needed in the summer window. Madrid remain keen to land Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer and have even explored a winter move, only to see their suggestion of a cut-price move quickly knocked back by the Anfield outfit.