Giorgio Scalvini, a central defender, was one of the players rumored for Real Madrid. With the long-term absences of Militao and Alaba, the club seemed compelled to turn to the winter market for reinforcement. Several names came up, including Scalvini, but Carlo Ancelotti ruled out signing a central defender at that time, trusting Tchouameni and Carvajal as substitutes if Nacho or Rudiger failed. Considering the possible departure of the captain, the whites now saw a great opportunity in the Italian to reinforce their defense.