Jose Mourinho Targets Diogo Dalot as First Real Madrid Signing in €35m Move from Manchester United

Jose Mourinho’s anticipated return to Real Madrid appears to be taking shape both on and off the pitch, with the Portuguese coach reportedly identifying Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot as his first transfer priority at the Bernabeu.

According to reports, Mourinho has reached a verbal agreement on a two-year contract with Los Blancos, ending a 13-year absence from the Spanish capital following his first tenure at the club. He is currently preparing to depart Benfica ahead of the move.

Beyond delivering results on the field, Mourinho will reportedly inherit a dressing room marked by significant internal tensions, adding a squad-management challenge to his immediate responsibilities upon arrival.

On the transfer front, SPORT reports that Mourinho has pinpointed Dalot as his top target, believing the 26-year-old Portuguese international “has all the qualities” required to perform at Real Madrid’s level. The reported interest is driven in part by uncertainty surrounding Dani Carvajal’s future at the club, as well as a desire to provide genuine competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

Mourinho has a direct connection to Dalot, having signed the full-back from Porto for Manchester United back in 2018. A reunion at the Bernabeu would therefore carry personal significance for both parties. According to reports, Dalot is open to exploring a new challenge, while Manchester United are said to be willing to engage in negotiations at a valuation of approximately €35 million.

Dalot has developed into a consistent starter under successive managers at Old Trafford since his arrival from Porto. Now entering what should be his peak years at 26, a move to one of European football’s most decorated clubs would represent a significant step in his career.

Real Madrid’s right-back situation has been a point of concern following Carvajal’s serious knee injury sustained earlier in the 2024-25 season, which kept him sidelined for an extended period. Although Alexander-Arnold joined Los Blancos from Liverpool, the arrival of a natural competitor in the position would reflect Mourinho’s characteristic approach to squad depth and internal competition.

Mourinho’s first spell at Real Madrid ran from 2010 to 2013, during which he guided the club to the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season. His return, if confirmed, will mark one of the more high-profile managerial appointments in recent Spanish football history. The reported two-year contract would take him through to the summer of 2028, encompassing a full cycle of La Liga, Champions League, and domestic cup competition.