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Dani Carvajal's anticipated transfer to Getafe has collapsed, ending the former Real Madrid defender's expected return to La Liga action.
The 34-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Madrid following his 451st appearance for the club in the final game of the 2025–26 season, where teammates lined up to give him an emotional guard of honor as a farewell tribute.
Carvajal first arrived at Madrid as a 10-year-old and spent virtually his entire professional career with Los Blancos, claiming six Champions League titles as part of an impressive 27-trophy haul.
Despite reported interest from clubs across Europe and the Middle East, the right back remained unattached throughout the summer after his contract expired, leaving his future — whether to keep playing or hang up his boots — uncertain.
Earlier this month, it appeared that fellow Madrid-based outfit Getafe had offered him a path back into Spanish football, with the club able to register the free agent outside the standard transfer window.
Getafe Move Falls Through
🚨 ÁNGEL TORRES NIEGA el FICHAJE de CARVAJAL por el GETAFE:
❌ "Se ha ROTO TODO".
👉 "No hay nada".
🗣️ @kikeortizzz pic.twitter.com/kAIRtStORV
Reports emerged on Wednesday suggesting Getafe had already finalized an agreement to bring the Real Madrid icon on board. However, Getafe president Ángel Torres has since firmly dismissed those claims.
"Everything has fallen apart, there's nothing," he stated to Chiringuito TV.
The exact reason behind the deal's breakdown remains unclear, though Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo suggests financial regulations may be to blame. Getafe are believed to have surpassed their Squad Cost Limit (SCL) — the cap governing player wages, amortization, and staff costs as agreed with La Liga — leaving no room to accommodate Carvajal's salary.
Getafe operate on one of La Liga's more modest budgets, with their SCL for 2026–27 set at €56.7 million — less than 10% of Real Madrid's league-high figure of over €832 million.
Getafe currently occupy 11th place in La Liga, having secured two victories from their first seven matches.
What's Next for Dani Carvajal?
A figure deeply intertwined with Real Madrid's recent dominance, Carvajal described the club as "his life" upon his departure, and had previously stated he would not entertain offers from other European sides.
However, earlier this summer he appeared more receptive to remaining in his home country, telling Chiringuito TV: "We'll see what the best options are for me and my family, and based on that, I'll make the decision."
When asked whether he would prefer to stay in Spain, Carvajal replied: "I don't know. We'll decide that together [as a family], with calm.
"I'm open to all options and we're working on it."
Carvajal made 23 appearances across all competitions for Madrid in 2025–26, starting on just ten occasions. His last two campaigns at the Bernabéu were heavily disrupted by injury, most notably an ACL tear sustained in 2024.