Real Madrid have reportedly set their eyes on Manchester right-back Diogo Dalot, as the Spanish giants look to strengthen their full-back options amid the possible departure of six-time Champions League winner Dani Carvajal.
A little under a year ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold completed his move to Real Madrid, reinforcing their options at right-back. But with Dani Carvajal now 34 and out of contract on 30 June, the Spanish giants are once again in the market for reinforcements.
Spanish outlet Defensa Central reports that Real Madrid are willing to offer €30 million (£25.9 million). It’s noted that Manchester United are likely to ask for more for Dalot, who will have two years left on his contract this summer.
Real Madrid’s right-back dilemma
While the 16-time European champions may have their eyes on Manchester United’s Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot, their primary focus appears to lie elsewhere. Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi is a long-term target and remains on their radar.
Whilst the right-back may represent Morocco internationally, he was born in Madrid and joined Los Blancos’s youth team when he was just eight years old.
Hakimi may feel a pull toward Madrid, but it was Borussia Dortmund who handed him the stage. Inter Milan then placed their faith in him, and Paris Saint-Germain, with whom he reached the summit of European football.
Couple this with his supposed price tag of €80 million (£69 million) and Madrid’s poor relationship with the French side, and this transfer seems increasingly improbable. Spanish journalist Raul Cabrera Jimenez has also reported that Madrid are tracking Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Cadena SER claims Pedro Porro is another option under consideration.
Dalot: the realistic right-back option
Few players divide opinion among Manchester United fans quite like Diogo Dalot.
However, since joining from Porto in 2018, aside from a season-long loan at AC Milan, the Portuguese right-back has proven to be a dependable presence on the flank.
Over the past five years, Dalot has missed just 67 days through injury—a total of 15 games—a stark contrast to Dani Carvajal, who has been sidelined for 589 days, missing 115 matches.
This, however, has not been enough to win over the Old Trafford faithful. They see him, at times, as a clunky right-back who is unable to deliver in times that matter most.
| Diogo Dalot (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games played | 28 |
| Starts | 24 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Asssist | 3 |
| Tackles per game | 1.4 |
| Balls recovered per game | 3.9 |
| Errors leading to goal | 1 |
Yet for all the criticism, Dalot’s importance to Manchester United cannot be understated.
In Erik ten Hag’s final full season in charge, his teammates voted him Players’ Player of the Year, underlining the respect he commands within the dressing room.
Manchester United, linked with a new midfielder, may not want to part ways with their first-choice full-back. But with INEOS preparing a summer overhaul, no position is truly untouchable.
