REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Manchester City are considering a move for Dani Carvajal, with the right-back still a free agent after leaving Real Madrid in the summer.
However, there could be competition for Carvajal's signature from Man City's Premier League rivals, Fulham, with new manager Alvaro Arbeloa known to be a big fan.
REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
When asked where he ranks the defender earlier this summer, the Fulham boss said: "At the very top alongside the best full-backs of all time. One of his greatest characteristics is that he has managed to be very important both offensively and defensively. The challenge for full-backs is always finding that balance.
"Dani has been able to dominate in both aspects, both going forward and defending. He has had a mentality that has driven him to improve every year. He is a born competitor, facing the best and representing us at the highest level."
The 34-year-old has been hugely successful at club level, winning the Champions League six times, which is the joint-highest number of any current player, and more than FC Barcelona have won in their history.
Ranking Champions League's most successful clubs Times won
1. Real Madrid 15
2. AC Milan 7
3. Liverpool 6
3. Bayern Munich 6
5. FC Barcelona 5
Moreover, the Spaniard is also very experienced at international level, collecting 52 caps, and he was a part of the squad that lifted the European Championships in 2024.
However, Enzo Maresca is already well-stocked at right-back, with Abdukodir Khusanov featuring there against Coventry City last time out, while Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes are also at his disposal.
Man City and Fulham racing to sign Dani Carvajal
REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
Carvajal is available as a free agent, as he is yet to find a club after leaving Real Madrid in the summer, and Man City are now weighing up an offer.
That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states the full-back has also emerged as a target for Fulham, and he is well-known to Arbeloa, having played under him last season, before he was replaced by Jose Mourinho.
David Alaba also left Madrid at the end of last season, at which point the Austrian said: "Thank you for being there during a very difficult time in my career with my knee injury. Difficult. Really, thank you for everything. We continue celebrating with a legend and an incredible person… Dani Carvajal!
Liverpool have been offered the opportunity to sign the former Spain international too, and he is keen to continue playing, after enjoying a glittering period with Real Madrid, in which he amassed 14 goals and 66 assists in 451 matches.