MADRID — Real Madrid has officially prioritized the signing of a new right-back this summer as the club begins a major squad rebuild following the departure of long-serving veteran Dani Carvajal.
The Search for a Successor
With Carvajal set to become a free agent at the end of June 2026, the club’s recruitment team has drawn up a three-man shortlist to provide competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The search is being conducted with the club reportedly closing in on the appointment of José Mourinho as manager to reinvigorate a squad that finished the 2025–26 season without a trophy.
Top Transfer Targets
Real Madrid’s scouting department is currently evaluating three primary options:
Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan): Regarded as a leading candidate due to his experience and affordability.The 30-year-old Dutch international has a €25 million release clause that becomes active in July, making him a highly accessible target for the Spanish giants.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur): Widely admired for his attacking versatility and creative output from the right flank. While he remains a key part of Spurs’ setup, his name is firmly on Madrid’s shortlist.
Iván Fresneda (Sporting CP): The young Spanish full-back has been scouted extensively by Madrid recently, representing a potential long-term investment for the club’s defensive future.
Strategic Context
The urgency for a new right-back stems from the club's desire to rectify the defensive vulnerabilities seen during last season's trophyless campaign. While recent reports have linked the club to various defensive reinforcements, the focus remains on securing a dynamic, high-impact player capable of immediately filling the void left by Carvajal’s storied tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu.
