Real Madrid News
Real Madrid tracking Manchester United full-back whose contract expires in 2024
Real Madrid are tracking the situation of Manchester United and Portugal right-back Diogo Dalot, whose contract with the Premier League giants expires next year, reports AS.
Real Madrid have Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez as their frontline options for the right-back slot. Carlo Ancelotti has also used Nacho Fernandez in the position while youngsters like Vinicius Tobias, David Jimenez and Alex Jimenez are coming through the ranks.
It had led to reports that Los Blancos are not planning to rope in a new right-back in the summer.
While that might be the case, AS claims that Real Madrid are still tracking the situation of Dalot, who remains a subject of interest within the Valdebebas.
It must be remembered that the Spanish capital club had recently turned down the chance to sign Manchester City ace Joao Cancelo in the winter. The reasons behind that move were believed to be his age and the finances involved.
But the case is very different when it comes to Dalot as the Manchester United ace is 23-year-old and has a contract that expires in 2024, after the Red Devils triggered a one-year extension for him recently.
Talks over a longer deal are believed to be going on, but with no agreement reached yet, Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on any developments surrounding the former FC Porto starlet.
Carvajal turned 31 years old last month while Vazquez will be 32 in June. So, it is important for the Merengues to start planning for the future. And Dalot could be a good option in that regard.
Los Blancos could decide to move for him in the summer when he has just one year left on his deal or wait until 2024 to snap him up for free.
However, Dalot recently confirmed that talks with Manchester United are going well and affirmed his love for the club, which could pose problems for Real Madrid in pursuit of the 23-year-old.
“We are in a position to say that we are negotiating [my contract] and how both parties will benefit, but it is no secret that I am happy to be here. I love this club, I love to play for this club so we will see how things go,” he had said.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
