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Jose Mourinho is closing in on a return to Real Madrid, and the Portuguese coach is wasting no time drawing up his transfer wishlist as reported by Metro on Thursday May 21, 2026.
The incoming Los Blancos boss has identified Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot as a priority target ahead of the summer window.
Mourinho is set to inherit a club in disarray. Madrid have gone trophyless for a second straight season, and president Florentino Perez has reportedly assured the veteran manager of substantial financial backing to rebuild the squad.
With Dani Carvajal confirming his exit from the Bernabeu after 13 years, reinforcing the right-back position has become urgent business.
Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived from Liverpool last summer but has struggled to convince, leaving Madrid exposed on the right flank.
Mourinho is said to be seeking a more defensively reliable option to operate alongside the England international, and Dalot fits that profile.
The pair share a history. Mourinho brought Dalot to Old Trafford in 2018 for £19 million from Porto, and his admiration for the 27-year-old has clearly endured.
Back then, Mourinho famously compared the young full-back to Gary Neville, suggesting he had the potential to anchor United’s right side for over a decade.
Dalot has since matured into one of the more dependable defenders in the Premier League, making 246 appearances for the club.
Reports suggest United could be open to selling given their plans to overhaul the squad this summer, with Dalot valued at around £30 million.
However, interim manager Michael Carrick has firmly pushed back, reportedly making clear to club hierarchy that the Portuguese defender is central to his long-term vision.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also circling, meaning United may face growing pressure to make a decision sooner rather than later.
