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It's now confirmed. Dani Carvajal will depart Real Madrid at the end of this season.
A forgettable final campaign notwithstanding, the 34-year-old leaves as one of the club's genuine all-time legends. No player has won more Champions League titles than his six, and very few defenders have ever placed as high as he did in the Ballon d'Or rankings (fourth in 2024).
Carvajal's exit will create yet another void in Madrid's leadership group that must be addressed, while the squad is also looking noticeably thin at right back.
Several reports indicate that incoming boss José Mourinho has already requested the position be prioritized in the summer transfer window, to provide depth and competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Here are six candidates who could be on Real Madrid's radar as the club looks to move beyond the Carvajal era.
1. Amar Dedic
A player Mourinho is familiar with, 23-year-old Bosnian international Dedić may not be widely recognized, but he has caught the eye at Benfica with his contributions at both ends of the pitch during an unbeaten campaign in the Portuguese top flight.
Arriving last summer from Red Bull Salzburg, Dedić's abilities have also drawn interest from the likes of Manchester City in recent months.
He is tied to his Lisbon club until 2030 and reportedly has a release clause of €50 million ($58 million).
2. Konrad Laimer
Laimer has been a consistent presence at Bayern Munich across the past three seasons and can operate on either flank of the defense as well as in midfield. However, his future in Germany remains unclear with his deal set to run out in 2027.
Bayern board member Uli Hoeneß publicly criticized the Austrian over his reported wage demands during contract extension discussions, alerting clubs across Europe to the potential availability of the 28-year-old.
It would not be the first occasion Madrid have lured an Austrian talent away from Bayern.
3. Santiago Mouriño
Could both a Mourinho and a Mouriño be at Madrid this summer?
One of La Liga's standout defenders this season, Mouriño has been a revelation for Champions League-bound Villarreal after stepping up from Alavés.
The 24-year-old Uruguayan is effective at both center back and right back, and only two players have registered more tackles than his tally of 100 all season.
The tenacious defender—formerly under contract at Atlético Madrid—received a red card at the Bernabéu back in October.
4. Jon Aramburu
The player with the second-highest tackle count in La Liga in 2025–26, Venezuela international Aramburu also features in the league's top 10 for interceptions.
The 23-year-old has been virtually ever-present for Real Sociedad this season and has established himself as one of the division's most dependable defensive full backs over recent years.
His contract, running until 2030, includes a €60 million ($70 million) buyout clause.
5. Pedro Porro
A decidedly more attack-minded option, 26-year-old Porro has been linked with several clubs ahead of the upcoming transfer window and could be a target Madrid pursue amid Tottenham Hotspur's ongoing struggles.
Even if Spurs manage to avoid the drop, the former Girona player could well be available for the right fee.
When asked directly about the prospect of playing for Madrid one day, back in March, Porro—a lifelong Los Blancos supporter—told Cadena Ser: "When you're little, you dream a lot of things, but on a day-to-day basis I think about my reality, and when you think about playing for the best teams in the world, you know that you still have things to improve."
6. Diogo Dalot
Long associated with a move to Madrid, Dalot has put together one of his strongest seasons yet at Manchester United, while continuing to be a fixture in the Portugal national team setup.
The 27-year-old would offer Mourinho and Madrid considerably more experience than several of the other names in contention.
Comfortable on both sides of the defense, Dalot possesses an athleticism honed through years of Premier League competition, and few full backs cover the length of the pitch as effectively.
With only two years remaining on his United deal, he would almost certainly be considered attainable.