Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has a contract valid until 2028, but reports suggest there is interest from Real Madrid.
Diogo Dalot has been a key player for Manchester United this season, missing only two games in the entire 2025/26 campaign.
Dalot has been United’s most criticised player over the last few seasons, but there is no denying that even through several managers he continues to be a regular starter.
According to Spanish outlet DefensaCentral, Real Madrid are showing interest in Dalot and are ready to pay £26 million for his signature in the summer.
Diogo Dalot before the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in 2026 in Liverpool, England.
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Diogo Dalot celebrates Leny Yoro's goal against Fulham
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Real Madrid’s interest in Diogo Dalot explored
This is not the first time that Madrid have been linked with the Portuguese full-back. Back in 2024, Madrid were lining up a £50m bid for Dalot.
Madrid ended up signing Trent Alexander-Arnold instead which essentially ended their interest in Dalot, but now the Spanish giants are on the lookout for full-backs again.
Dani Carvajal, a six-time Champions League winner, is set to leave Madrid at the end of the season when his contract expires.
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If the Spanish defender doesn’t renew his terms, Madrid could make a move for Dalot as his replacement.
The report adds that Achraf Hakimi is Madrid’s top target at right-back, ahead of Dalot, but the PSG star is expected to cost around £70m.
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Dalot graphic
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Man Utd face difficult Diogo Dalot decision
After a difficult start to the season, Dalot is now undroppable under Michael Carrick, and selling him in the summer would just give Ineos another hole to fill.
Noussair Mazraoui is the only other natural right-back in the squad so Ineos would have to dip into the transfer market to find a replacement.
Dalot is also a leader in this United squad, and his work rate and mentality behind the scenes have been praised by teammates and coaches.
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While he may not be the most technically gifted player in the squad, and even frustrating to watch at times, Dalot is the kind of player that can glue a dressing room together.
If a £26m bid does arrive from Madrid in the summer, Ineos have a big decision to make as there are plenty of reasons why Dalot should be kept hold of moving into 2026/27.
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