Real Madrid have allegedly decided against making any signings in the January transfer window in anticipation of Kylian Mbappe's summer arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.
Los Blancos have been working on a deal for the World Cup winner for a number of years, only to be rebuffed by PSG in 2021 before Mbappe snubbed a move last year in favour of signing a new contract.
The France international's current terms will run out next year as things stand, though, and he told PSG in the summer that he does not intend to take up his 12-month extension option until 2025.
The revelations saw PSG fight tooth and nail to sell Mbappe over the summer, leaving him out of their pre-season tour squad and forcing him to train with a handful of other transfer-listed players.
However, after Mbappe rejected the chance to join Saudi Pro League Al-Hilal in a world-record deal, the ex-Monaco man held constructive talks with the hierarchy and returned to Luis Enrique's first-team squad.
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There has been no change to Mbappe's contract situation, though, and PSG are running the risk of losing the 24-year-old as a free agent at the end of the season if he does not have a change of heart.
Real have strenuously denied suggestions that they are already negotiating Mbappe's arrival, but according to Marca, the La Liga giants will not add to their ranks over the winter in order to reserve a spot for the attacker.
Los Blancos won the intense battle to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, fending off the threat of Liverpool and Manchester City among others, but 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema left for Al-Ittihad a year before the expiry of his contract.
Mbappe has long been tipped to succeed Benzema at the Bernabeu, but having already committed an initial £88m to sign Bellingham, Real were not able to complete a sensational double swoop over the summer.
Instead, Carlo Ancelotti's side signed experienced Spaniard Joselu on loan from Espanyol, while also adding Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga to their ranks.
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Thanks in no small part to 13 goals from the in-form Bellingham, Real have begun the 2023-24 season strongly, sitting second in the embryonic La Liga rankings behind surprise package Girona.
Los Blancos have also won each of their first three Champions League games versus Napoli, Union Berlin and Braga, and they only need a point against the latter on Wednesday to advance to the last 16 with two games to spare.
As a result, Ancelotti is said to firmly believe in his current crop of players and will look to his existing first team to plug any gaps, so does not believe that any January signings are necessary.
President Florentino Perez has also possessed an aversion to mid-season signings during his tenure in the Spanish capital, and the club will turn to academy players in case of "emergencies".
However, former France international Samir Nasri has urged Mbappe to reject Real's advances once again and continue at PSG for the 2024-25 season.
Ben Knapton
