CONFIRMED: Man United reach agreement to make 22-year-old their first summer signing
After reluctantly putting their Trent Alexander-Arnold interest on the back-burner for the time being, Real Madrid have begun scouring the market for alternative right-backs.
Alas, they have reportedly landed on Manchester United mainstay Diogo Dalot, with Ben Jacobs (via GiveMeSport) claiming they’ve gone as far as holding ‘exploratory contact’ with the defender.
United are adamant that their player is completely off-limits, though the reigning European champions believe a fee of £45 million, which would pose as a £26m profit for the club, would be enough to hash out a deal that sees Dalot swap Old Trafford for the Santiago Bernabeu.
One notable factor in the Reds’ favour is that they tied the 25-year-old down to a five-year deal last May, giving themselves full control over his future should any club test their resolve in any coming windows.
Since signing from Porto in 2018, Dalot has accumulated 180 appearances in all competitions for United. His availability is what often sets him aside from teammates, and is second only to his compatriot Bruno Fernandes.
He started a remarkable 48 appearances across 2023/2024, being ruled out of only one game – a Premier League clash with West Ham – due to suspension.
However, fans have often questioned whether he is really at the calibre Ruben Amorim requires in his newly implemented system – especially after Noussair Mazraoui transitioned so seamlessly into the fold and put in the level of stellar performances expected of a fullback.
With that in mind, a potential approach from Madrid may be one of the club’s only opportunities to generate a respectable fee from his sale.
Also on their shortlist are Pedro Porro, Juanlu, and Jeremie Frimpong, with Alexander-Arnold believed to be prioritising an extension with the Merseyside outfit ahead of his current 2025 expiry.
