Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot this January transfer window.
The Portuguese player is a consistent name in new manager and fellow compatriot Ruben Amorim‘s starting XI but has been playing out of position on the left flank pretty much non-stop due to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s continued injury issues.
However, with Madrid looking to urgently sign a new fullback to fill in for a crucial absentee of their own in Dani Carvajal, a few names have been shortlisted as cover.
Although Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is being linked most heavily, the Premier League leaders have rejected the La Liga giants’ advances thus far and it is believed that Dalot could be second choice.
Real Madrid are desperate for a right-back after Dani Carvajal’s injury, hence the Trent bid now.
As reported last month, if, and likely when, any move for Trent fails, Diogo Dalot is another on their list. #MUFChttps://t.co/00QY7i6sPB
As per The i Paper sport writer, Peter Hall, the 25-year-old right-back is one of a few players being eyed up by Carlo Ancelotti’s side if Los Blancos fail to sweet-talk Alexander-Arnold.
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The Liverpool and England international has long been admired by the club along with most big European teams over the past few years, but Merseyside’s homegrown talent – known for his incredible vision, passing range and strength on set pieces – has seemingly been playing down transfer talk.
With Carvajal confirmed to be out for the season following surgery on a ruptured cruciate ligament, Madrid need to sign a back-up this month, and given that Trent is currently on track for his second league title, any chance they stand probably wouldn’t even come close to materialising until the summer.
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Taking that into account, the Madrid board will likely have to look elsewhere for a right-back for now and with Dalot having played a wing-back both at United and on loan at Milan as well as an out-and-out winger during his youth at Porto, he could is considered a good utility fit in the meantime.
The outlet goes on to claim that they are plotting a potential £50 million move for the attack-minded defender should if/when their pursit of Alexander-Arnold ends.
As for whether United would be willing to let him go given how short they are in defence and that position, specifically, that remains to be seen. Known for his characteristic beating of the badge with his fist towards the fans each game, it’s also worth noting that Dalot seems fairly at home in Manchester.
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He recently visited the Classic Football Shirts shop in Northern Quarter for an episode of Ellis Platten’s Away Days.
Another element that could factor into whether or not this transfer link goes anywhere is Man United’s own financial position and fissures in the squad at present.
In fact, the billionaire is continue his spree of cost-cutting measures around Old Trafford and Carrington, having upped remaining tickets prices for this season, made over 250 staff redundant and even targeted the United Foundation most recently, cutting funding for what is a crucial charity arm in the community.
None of these decision have proved particualry popular; on the other hand, the sale of Dalot for the fee reported could not only help keep in line with PSR (profit and sustainability rules) but could maybe even help fund a move for, say, a new full-back or two.
Alternatively, there have been calls from fans to sign yet another another forward in light of their evident lack of goals this season – namely a former player of Amorim, in particular.
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Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres is one of the most in-form goalscorers on the planet right now and were his former coach given the opportunity to snap him up, he surely wouldn’t hesitate – not that the 26-year-old is adding any fuel to the fire.
Once again, though, serious funds would need to be gathered in order to make a move for the Swedish striker and even the supposed £50 for Dalot would only be a dent in the final figure.
What about you, Reds: would you accept an offer from Madrid for Dalot; would you reinvest it straight back into the squad and, if so, whereabouts on the pitch?
Featured Images — NBC Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
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Injury-stricken Stockport County book place in another playoff final at Wembley
Danny Jones
A somewhat makeshift Stockport County squad have booked themselves yet another trip to Wembley in the League One playoff final following a comfortable second leg win over Stevenage FC.
They did it with two fine finishes, as well.
Beating Stevenage 3-0 overall on aggregate, the Hatters secured a third visit to the capital under manager Dave Challinor, who continues to boast an impressive record of either promotion or reaching the knockout stages in almost every single year of his career as a coach.
With three-time Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry opening the scoring with a fine finish and top scorer-turned centre-half, Kyle Wootton, getting back on the scoresheet, even from defence, it was a night to remember for supporters in SK3.
With Barry having not only come back to the club for yet another loan spell but having quickly returned to form after scoring yet another big and important goal for County, not to mention a first senior career hat-trick in a 3-1 against Peterborough back in April, he was one of the stars on the night.
Meanwhile, Wootton – who was leading the race in terms of goalscoring before numerous defensive injuries saw him moved to centre-back (now several games into his run at the heart of the backline) – still proved to be a threat in the opposition box via set-pieces as he has done all season.
Barring a slightly fortunate deflection, some fans may have argued it was an even better take than the opener from the 22-year-old. He received praise from fellow former striker and veteran EFL player, Troy Deeney, after the match.
Speaking from an ex-pro and now manager’s perspective, he applauded the 29-year-old’s “ego check” and willingness to effectively give up the race for the golden boot, telling CBS Sports: “I don’t know a striker that I’ve ever met that would do that.”
But here’s what it means…
THEY'RE GOING TO WEMBLEY ‼️
Stockport County fans invade the pitch after victory in the EFL League One semifinal playoffs 👏 pic.twitter.com/NvCuDfD6qF
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 13, 2026
As for Challinor, the gaffer praised the Edgeley Park crowd, crediting them for keeping the energy up in and around some lulls in the game and resisting the slip into complacency.
Thanking them in a video on social media following the full-time whistle, Barry acknowledged them as “the 12th man”, with Wootton urging them to get behind the boys for “one more” game as they aim to “get the job done.”
Stockport County will face either Bradford City or local Greater Manchester rivals Bolton Wanderers in the third-tier conclusion, with the other semi-final kicking off at 8pm tonight. Who do you think is going to go all the way?
You can see the highlights from the decisive game down below.
Manchester City reveal new state-of-the-art women’s football facility
Danny Jones
Manchester City Football Club has finally unveiled its brand-new women’s football facility as their home base moves across to another section of the ever-growing Etihad Campus.
Costing more than £10m in total redevelopment costs, the new training ground and all-round squad hub aims to set a new industry standard.
First announced back in January 2024, the state-of-the-art complex was revealed in full this Wednesday, 13 May, being met with a strong reception from the senior women’s squad and Man City supporters in general.
To help celebrate the opening, City Football Group (CFG) Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak travelled into the city to be one of the first through the doors.
Spanning well over 170,000 feet, the multi-million-pound facility marks one of the most significant investments in female football history.
With sector-leading technology installed in virtually every corner of the space, club captain and Euros-winning Lioness Alex Greenwood told Sky Sports, “It’s incredible […[ We’re very lucky that we get to call this home. The building is absolutely brilliant and has everything that we need.”
Going on to express her excitement over this being her new place of work, she mentioned that all City Women stars had input over things to include in the plans and how they wanted it to look, as did members of the wider staff.
Not just now an ‘elite level performance centre’, but where these talented young sportswomen will be spending so much of their time, she and her teammates believe they got it spot on, declaring that “this is taking it to a whole new level.”
She also noted that at least one of the rooms is the one where the squad watched the Arsenal vs Brighton draw, which sealed their first league title in a decade, so there’s already been some great memories made there.
Here’s a quick fly-through of the impressive achievement…
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) May 13, 2026
The new digs are also much more than just a training ground; according to the club, besides player preparation and recovery and minimising injuries, with a world-class gym as well as other strength and conditioning facilities, it includes dedicated medical, rehab and physio spaces.
Hydrotherapy and advanced recovery areas have also been built, with MCWFC’s circular dressing room at the heart of the whole building.
Writing on the club website, Man City Women Managing Director, Charlotte O’Neill, said: “After years of planning, designing and constructing, we are proud to open our new world-class space that we believe offers some of the very best facilities in women’s sport in the UK.
“This building is about so much more than bricks and mortar; it is about creating an environment where our players can thrive, where standards are set at the very highest level, and where the current squad has everything it needs to continue to compete for and win silverware.
She went on to say, “It is also a clear statement of our ambition to continue to develop and attract the very best talent in world football.” It’s also worth noting that this will further free up other EDS (elite development squad) and youth academy outfits to make use of existing buildings.
Khaldoon echoed a similar sentiment, adding that this new addition to the wider Etihad Campus “reflects the scale of our ambition for Manchester City Women and our long-term belief in the future of the women’s game.”
It looks to be a pretty staggering upgrade; there’s no doubt about that.
As for the rest of the campus, along with the soon-to-open on-site hotel, we also now have more details regarding the accompanying Medlock Square that is also set to launch in tandem.
Danny Jones -
2nd January 2025 
