Dani Carvajal’s potential departure reportedly leads Real Madrid to consider Diogo Dalot and other two players

Real Madrid have accelerated their search for a long-term right-back solution amid growing uncertainty over Dani Carvajal’s future, with Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot emerging as the leading candidate to reinforce the position, according to Diario Sport correspondent Alejandro Alcázar.

Carvajal, 32, has struggled to recapture his pre-injury form and has been relegated to a bench role under coach Álvaro Arbeloa. With his contract set to expire in June, the academy graduate could leave the Bernabéu as a free agent unless he convinces the club hierarchy to grant a short-term extension during the final three months of the campaign.

Los Blancos have already drawn up a three-man shortlist to compete for the starting berth. Dalot tops the chart, with United expected to demand around €40 million for the Portugal international. Club Brugge’s Kyriani Sabbe is viewed as a cost-effective alternative at roughly €10 million, while Tottenham’s Pedro Porro remains under observation, though the Spaniard would only become attainable if Spurs suffer relegation from the Premier League.

Real Madrid had initially earmarked Trent Alexander-Arnold as their marquee acquisition, yet the Englishman has failed to adapt to Arbeloa’s system. Tasked with replicating Carvajal’s defensive diligence and wide range, Alexander-Arnold has neither provided the anticipated attacking thrust nor solved the team’s vulnerability down the flank, prompting the club to reassess the position.

Should negotiations for Dalot, Sabbe or Porro stall, 22-year-old Castilla graduate David Jiménez could re-enter the first-team picture. Jiménez impressed during a brief run of starts when both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold were sidelined, offering balanced contributions at both ends of the pitch and hinting he could yet challenge for the starting role.

The coming weeks will determine whether Carvajal can rediscover his best form and earn a new deal, or if Real Madrid will press ahead with a generational reset at right-back.