Barcelona try to HIJACK Real Madrid transfer move

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 4 Dec 2024 14:22 GMT
• 3 min read

Barcelona are attempting to hijack Real Madrid’s plans to sign Diogo Dalot from Manchester United.

According to CaughtOffside, Barcelona will rival their bitter rivals Real Madrid in the race for Dalot.

Dalot’s future at United has very much been in doubt for several weeks now.

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It has been widely reported that Madrid have identified Dalot as an alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Liverpool right back is Madrid’s number one target to be the long-term successor to Dani Carvajal in his role.

Alexander-Arnold’s contract at Madrid expires at the end of the season and he has been tipped to join the Blancos on a free transfer.

But a deal is not easy to do, so Madrid have made Dalot as their first alternative should they be unable to get the Englishman.

Dalot signed a contract extension at Old Trafford last year and his current deal with the Red Devils now runs until 2028.

But he has long held an ambition to move to La Liga, and he could now have the option of both Madrid and Barcelona.

CaughtOffside report that Barcelona are also interested in signing Dalot.

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Barca are long-term admirers of Dalot and tried to sign him a few years ago.

The right-back role has been a problem position for them for a number of years.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have been told it will take a bid of at least €50 million for Man Utd to consider a sale in 2025.

Whether or not Barcelona can afford such a fee given their financial problems remains to be seen.

Dalot at Man Utd

Dalot joined Man Utd from Porto as a teenager in 2028 for a fee of over €25m.

He has since gone on to make over 150 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup.

He had a loan spell at Milan in the 2020-21 season in Serie A, making 33 appearances in all competitions.

Dalot has won 27 caps for the Portugal national team, scoring three goals and playing at Euro 2020, Euro 2024 and World Cup 2022.