Diogo Dalot has emerged as a target for Real Madrid after the Spaniards were told to forget any hopes they may harbour of landing Joao Cancelo.
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. Cancelo was the first choice but Manchester City have no interest in letting him go.
And the next name on Real’s list is that of Dalot, who has been watched regularly by the LaLiga giants in recent months and of whom the feedback — both professionally and personally — has been positive.
Dalot’s deal with Manchester United ends next summer but United have the option of a further year. The Portuguese’s agent has confirmed that, as things stand, Dalot will not sign another deal at Old Trafford and that opens the door for his potential departure next summer.
Dalot has performed well under Erik ten Hag and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation. But, financially, Real will be in a better position to sign the player if United are willing to let him go, with the expectation that he will fetch at least £35million.
Dalot is expected to be part of the Portugal squad that goes to the World Cup in Qatar next month. And should he move on to Real next summer, he will follow a path well trodden by other ex-United stars including David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Angel Di Maria and, of course, a current player — for now — in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, fellow full-back Luke Shaw has spoken about the competition in the United squad at the moment. ''I think competition is always healthy, everyone wants to play every game but you understand the manager only can pick 11,'' Shaw said.
''I think the new thing here with this new manager is if you are playing well and not training well, you are not going to be in the team. Everyone knows that and it keeps everyone on their toes. No-one can really relax and think they're going to play every game because with this manager you're not going to do that if you are not playing well.'
'I can see a lot of progress. I can see that the team is enjoying the new ideas and wanting to work with the new ideas. 'He has brought a lot more intensity, a different structure and a structure that we now know what he wants us to do, which is a big help."
