Will José Mourinho reinforce Real Madrid's already loaded squad with a January transfer signing?

This article will look into the top four Los Blancos January transfer rumours.

Regardless of the rumours linking Falcao to Real, he won't be included. Over time, Atlético Madrid have stayed true to their policy of not selling their most valuable forwards to their rivals (i.e. Sergio Agüero, Fernando Torres, Christian Vieri, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, José Mari, Salva, etc.).

Dinamo Zagreb's 16-year-old prodigy Alen Halilović will also be omitted because I haven't seen enough of him. He's been given two symbolic UEFA Champions League sub appearances, so it's impossible to gauge what type of player he is in such limited playing time.

Lucas Digne, Lille, Left-Back, Age: 19

The Transfer Rumour

According to Vavel.com, Real Madrid are interested in signing Lille teenager Lucas Digne as cover at left-back.

Fact or Fiction?

Fiction. One of the reasons why José Mourinho signed Michael Essien on loan was his versatility. People forget that Mourinho used the Ghanaian as an emergency centre-back and a make-shift right-back during his days at Chelsea.

As long as Essien doesn't make mistakes at left-back, Mourinho will persist with the Ghanaian. Should Essien be unavailable, Álvaro Arbeloa will fill in.

If Essien and Arbeloa both succumb to long-term injuries and there are still fitness questions hanging over the heads of Marcelo and Fábio Coentrão, signing a left-back in January becomes a more viable option.

However, it won't be Digne. A more experienced and in-form Bastian Oczipka from Eintracht Frankfurt seems like a more logical transfer option.

Is Digne Real Quality?

Not right now. He's not playing at the standard that fellow teammate Aurélien Chedjou is playing at. However, keep in mind, Chedjou is 27 years old whereas Digne is still a kid.

If Digne was playing as well as Chedjou, then Real Madrid going for the youngster would make more sense.

L'Équipe ranks Digne as Lille's seventh best performing player.

Nicolas N'Koulou, Marseille, Centre-Back, Age: 22

The Transfer Rumour

According to Foot 01, Real Madrid are contemplating signing Marseille's Nicolas N'Koulou.

Fact or Fiction?

Fiction. Young gun Raphaël Varane will be given extra leeway to succeed at the back, even if it means a few stumbling performances here and there. His world-class potential means signing N'Koulou is likely out of the question.

Is N'Koulou Real Quality?

Yes. He's an elegant centre-back, who generally completes 90-95 percent of his passes. In fact, he'd be better suited to El Clásico rival Barcelona.

Ashley Cole, Chelsea, Left-Back, Age: 31

The Transfer Rumour

Barry Glendenning at Guardian.co.uk discussed the possibility of Ashley Cole linking up with former Chelsea manager José Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Fact or Fiction?

Fiction. Florentino Pérez previously vetoed Mourinho's decision to go after then-Internazionale right-back Maicon. Perez cited the Brazilian's wage demands, age, doubts over his professionalism and the fact Real didn't need him.

Maicon later joined Manchester City and his two unconvincing games thus far vindicate Pérez's stance.

The only reason Cole would leave Chelsea is over wage demands. The Blues don't have a competent replacement because Ryan Bertrand is not good enough. Therefore, you'd think Chelsea will exhaust every possible option before offloading Cole.

What will probably happen is that management will fold to Cole.

Should Cole leave the Blues to chase the cash, he would be living up to a disparaging nickname that has been bandied about since he left Arsenal.

Ca$hley.

In that regard, Paris Saint-Germain would be a more attractive option than Real Madrid.

Is Cole Real Quality?

He's a world-class left-back, whose vital block to deny Christian Maggio's goal-bound shot with Napoli leading Chelsea 3-1 was a pivotal event in the Blues' UEFA Champions League triumph last season.

Daniele De Rossi, Roma, Centre Midfielder, Age: 29

The Transfer Rumour

According to talkSPORT, Real Madrid are in pole position to sign Roma's Daniele De Rossi.

Fact or Fiction

Fiction. De Rossi just extended his contract to 2017. Yes, he has some issues with Zdeněk Zeman, but who doesn't? That's just Zeman's coaching style.

Roma director Franco Baldini told Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia): "We already decided not to sell him [De Rossi] in the summer, so I don’t think anything can change our minds. Let it be clear, we have no financial need to sell De Rossi."

Is De Rossi Real Quality?

Judging on his performances this season, no. He isn't the same intimidating presence in midfield that you expect him to be.

A worrying sign is that he misplaces 10.3 passes per game even though most of his passes are low-risk.

Comparing Torres to Blues Transfer Prospect Falcao

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Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com

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