Real Madrid 'turn down chance to sign Mauro Icardi in January'

Real Madrid have reportedly turned down the chance to sign Galatasaray striker Mauro Icardi in the January transfer window.

Los Blancos lost the goalscoring talents of Karim Benzema in the summer after the Frenchman opted to sign for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.

Despite losing their talismanic striker, Real Madrid have performed reasonably well in the final third during the 2023-24 campaign.

Summer signing Jude Bellingham has helped fill the void left by Benzema, scoring 13 goals in 14 competitive appearances from an advanced midfield position.

Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes have scored six and five goals respectively, while Joselu has netted five times in 13 games since arriving on a loan deal from Espanyol.

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However, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was dealt a significant injury blow over the international break after it was confirmed that Vinicius will miss around 10 weeks of action with a hamstring injury.

With Ancelotti left with Rodrygo and Joselu as his two main forward options, there has been speculation as to whether Real Madrid will bring in reinforcements in the winter transfer window.

Icardi is been one of the names linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu after his agent revealed he has held talks with the Spanish giants.

"I'm in Madrid. Real Madrid have not made an offer for Icardi," Elio Letterio Pino told Diario AS. "They haven't made an official offer yet, but we are speaking with club officials."

According to The Athletic journalist Guillermo Rai, Real Madrid have turned down the chance to sign the Galatasaray forward.

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Although the club have spoken to the player's agent, they have made it clear they have no interest in signing him in the new year.

As a result, Icardi is seemingly set to stay with Turkish giants Galatasaray, where he has rejuvenated his career after initially joining on a loan deal in 2022.

The Argentine netted 22 goals in 24 league games last season to help the club win the Turkish Super Lig for the first time since 2019.

After converting his loan move into a permanent transfer, Icardi has continued to showcase his goalscoring touch in the 2023-24 campaign, registering 16 goals in 21 competitive appearances.