Real Madrid transfer news: Perez confirms there will be no January incomings

Posted Wednesday, January 27, 2016 by squawka.com

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed that the club will not be making any new signings in the current transfer window.

The news that both Real and Atletico Madrid will face a two-window transfer ban, starting from this summer, rocked the footballing world when it broke last week.

Both clubs dispute the claims that they breached FIFA’s rules over the transferring of minors, and the BBC have reported that they intend to appeal the decision.

Perez choosing not to bolster the squad this month potentially suggests confidence in Los Blancos’ ability to have the sanction overturned.

However, the 68-year-old insists he does not feel there is an available player out there that will improve new coach the squad.

Speaking to France Football, Perez said: “We are not going to be making any signings in the January window but that doesn’t have anything to do with the ban, it is because we have the best players and the best coach.

''The Fifa sanction is hurtful. It is a very serious matter to smear Real Madrid’s reputation in this way.

''We are convinced that it is all a mistake; it is ridiculous to think that Real Madrid will be punished for a matter concerning the protection of minors when the children have always been a priority for us.”

The club are having a turbulent season. They opted to sack Rafa Benitez and bring in Zindedine Zidane as manager earlier this month, after some fairly uninspiring displays under the former Liverpool manager.

The Frenchman got off to an exciting start to life as the head coach at the Bernabeu, winning his first two games 5-0 and 5-1 respectively.

However, the team stuttered this weekend in Zidane’s first away trip; they went a goal down early on to Real Betis and struggled to get the equaliser until Karim Benzema levelled in the 71st minute.

Madrid dominated possession (58%) and created 17 chances – slightly up on their season average of 15.75. But, the winner remained elusive for Los Blancos and the game ended 1-1.

The point leaves them four points adrift of both Atletico and Barcelona, who are level on 48 points at the top of the league.