Real Madrid plot £50m bid for Manchester United defender to address problem area

Real Madrid are showing signs of interest in signing Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot in January, according to reports.

The news comes after the La Liga giants have constantly been linked with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be a free agent in the summer.

Real Madrid are desperate to sign a right-back due to their shortage of options in that department. Carlo Ancelotti was said to have been targeting a move for Alexander-Arnold, but now it seems like they will make a swoop for Dalot in January.

Dani Carvajal is currently out with a serious knee injury and is expected to miss the majority of the season.

According to iNews, Real Madrid are plotting a £50m bid for Dalot to address their right-back issue. They are willing to test whether Amorim believes the 25-year-old fits into his system with a tempting mid-season offer.

Liverpool may be able to tempt Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract, which would scupper any chance he has of joining Real Madrid in the future.

Real Madrid want Diogo Dalot

In turn, that could open the door for Dalot to move on.

Dalot has played 178 games for United and was voted the player of the year by his team-mates last season. He was easily our most improved player at the time, but it remains to be seen if he will be part of Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans as head coach.

The Portugal international was one of United’s most important players last term, but he hasn’t been able to back it up this term.

With four years remaining on Dalot’s contract at Old Trafford, United are not under any pressure to sell their right-back. He put pen to paper on a new deal in May 2023.

The report adds that United sources insist Dalot is an important part of Amorim’s squad, while the player is not understood to be seeking a move elsewhere.