Man Utd risk losing £26m stalwart as Real Madrid see him as ideal replacement for 444-app legend

Real Madrid are preparing for life without Dani Carvajal, so they have reportedly pinpointed Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot as a potential solution.Carvajal is considered a bona fide club legend for the Los Merengues. He rose through the club’s youth ranks and has been a member of the first team since returning from his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2013.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe 34-year-old has 44 appearances for the club under his belt, in addition to 14 goals and 65 assists.Real Madrid want to replace Carvajal with DalotCarvajal is currently Madrid’s captain, but his role on the pitch has been reduced this season, especially following the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer. With his contract expiring in June, it is widely believed that he will leave the club at the end of the season.Therefore, Real Madrid are searching the market for a new right-back capable of offering depth and competition for Alexander-Arnold.According to Defensa Central, the Spanish giants have set their sights on Dalot, identifying him as a suitable profile for the role.The Portuguese international is described as a full-back capable of adapting to Real’s style of play. Transfermarkt estimates the Braga native’s value at €30 million (circa £26m), but the source insists that Man Utd would request a larger figure.His contract with the Premier League giants is valid until June 2028, and has an option for an additional year.Would Man Utd allow Diogo Dalot to leaveThis season, Dalot has had his highs and lows, but he’s considered an almost automatic starter, even though a fit Noussair Mazraoui should theoretically offer him some competition. Stats in 25/26 Appearances Goals Assists Diogo Dalot 30 1 3 Dani Carvajal 16 0 0 Trent Alexander-Arnold 19 0 2 Dalot was at times accused of being a favourite of his compatriot, Ruben Amorim, but he had also been a regular starter under Erik ten Hag, and his place in the lineup remained intact following Michael Carrick’s arrival in January.Therefore, Man Utd are unlikely to sanction the Portuguese’s sale, unless they first manage to sign an upgrade, or receive a lucrative offer that would allow them to invest in a top-notch right-back.