Real Madrid join race for Man Utd's Diogo Dalot

FT Desk

• 22 Oct 2022 19:27 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are set to compete with Barcelona for Diogo Dalot's sighature after being told in no uncertain terms that Manchester City's Joao Cancelo is not for sale.

Real are keen to sign a right-back next summer with Dani Carvajal turning 31 in January, and - even if the Spain international is still performing at a high level - in need of some competition in the position at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lucas Vazquez tends to stand in at right-back when Carvajal isn't available, but he is already 31 himself, and the club need to rejuvenate there in a way they have in central midfield in recent seasons with the acquisitions of French youngsters Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

"Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has told Bernabeu bigwigs that he wants to sign a full-back who has plenty of experience but plenty of years left in the tank as well," report the Mirror. "Cancelo was the first choice, but Manchester City have no interest in letting him go."

Dalot could fit just that profile. Already a Primeira Liga winner with Porto who has impressed on loan with AC Milan and collected six Portugal caps, Dalot is still only 23 and enjoying his best ever spell at Old Trafford since joining Man Utd in 2018.

Is Dalot attainable?

One stumbling block for Real - and Barca for that matter - could be that Dalot's future at United has never looked more positive. He has started 10 of United's 11 Premier League games this season, reducing Aaron Wan-Bissaka - who once cost £45 million (€51.6m) - to a spectator's role under Erik ten Hag.

Dalot's current contract at Old Trafford is up at the end of the season, but the Red Devils have an option to extend his deal by another year at that point, and look almost certain to do just that.

Dalot is currently ranked at €7m by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm with his contract duration in mind, but it is understood United would be looking for bids of up to €40m to even consider parting ways with their nascent star.