Real Madrid icon Dani Carvajal has been offered to Liverpool, Manchester City, and Fulham as a free agent following 13 years at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 34-year-old right-back, who won 26 major titles with Madrid, is actively considering his next move as Premier League clubs weigh up potential defensive reinforcements.
The Free-Agent Market Beckons for a Decorated Defender
The Premier League’s big clubs have paused, faced with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: signing a living Real Madrid legend without paying a single euro. British website TEAMtalk confirmed that agents have offered legendary right-back Dani Carvajal to both Liverpool and Manchester City, exploring a free-agent move that would send him to the Premier League. Fulham, too, have entered the running in a big way.
Carvajal (34) has been a free agent all summer since leaving Real Madrid, ending 13 years in the Royal Club’s shirt following his return from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013. His legendary career at the Santiago Bernabeu brought 26 major titles, including 6 UEFA Champions League crowns. Along the way he established himself as one of the best right-backs of his generation and a pillar of the Spanish national team.
According to the report, Carvajal has held talks with several Spanish clubs since becoming available, with the American league, the Saudi Pro League and other European clubs also keen. The Spanish international, though, wants to keep playing at the highest level. He is weighing his options carefully in search of the right move rather than simply winding down his career.
Daniel Carvajal is officially without a club after leaving Real Madrid, which means he can sign for a new side at any time, even outside the transfer window. Lately, speculation has linked him with a move to Liverpool. In Madrid, Carvajal did not get a new contract after 450 competitive appearances. He played only a bit-part role for Los Blancos last season after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in October 2024 and making his comeback in the summer of 2025. Carvajal has never played in the Premier League before, having spent 13 years at Real Madrid in what was his second spell after coming through the club’s youth system. He spent a season at Bayer Leverkusen between 2012 and 2013.
Fulham and the Alvaro Arbeloa Factor at Craven Cottage
Fulham’s interest looks the most serious so far. A move to Craven Cottage would reunite Carvajal with his former Real Madrid team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa. Sources have told TEAMtalk that the Spain international is keen to continue playing and is actively considering his options as he looks for the right opportunity. We can confirm that Fulham have a potential interest in Carvajal and there is a prospect of him moving to Craven Cottage. A move to Fulham could also see Carvajal reunited with former Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa, who is now at the west London club and knows the defender well from their time together in Madrid. However, Fulham are not the only Premier League club to have been presented with the opportunity. TEAMtalk understands intermediaries have also offered Carvajal to Liverpool.
Alvaro Arbeloa is the bookies’ favourite to be the first Premier League manager to leave this season. Alvaro Arbeloa has lost his first two league games as Fulham boss.
Squad Limitations and Pundit Reaction Around Liverpool
Speculation linking the free agent to Anfield has also drawn commentary from prominent football figures.
“I believe Liverpool, Carvajal and a right-back are being talked about. So, yes, I would say Liverpool,” former England international Joleon Lescott said on TNT Sports, adding to the rumours. Transfer insider David Ornstein did not contradict him.
Liverpool’s concerns at right-back are no secret. Conor Bradley still faces a lengthy spell out after his knee operation, and the versatile Joe Gomez is also injured. For coach Andoni Iraola, Jeremie Frimpong is currently the only option, although the former Leverkusen player has yet to convince. Barcelona loanean Ronald Araujo was therefore tried in that role in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town. Furthermore, he would not be able to sign for Liverpool between now and January as Andoni Iraola’s side do not have a free non-homegrown slot in their Premier League squad list.
City, meanwhile, have a number of spaces remaining, with the signing of midfielder Elliot Anderson. The biggest summer transfer window in Premier League history has reached its conclusion. The combined £3.48billion expenditure surpassed the previous £3.14bn record set last year. Clubs also recouped £2.17bn from player sales, contributing to a combined net spend of £1.3bn. Playing a key part in that were big spenders Manchester City (£440.3m), Chelsea (£342.4m) and Tottenham (£334m), and it is no surprise that they enjoyed the best windows across the big clubs.
Weighing Options Beyond the Transfer Window
Because Carvajal has been unattached since his Real contract expired at the end of June, with Los Blancos choosing not to renew, he has remained a free agent after the transfer deadline, meaning he is free to sign for another club between now and January. As intermediaries field interest from multiple continents, the defender’s next destination will depend entirely on where he finds the right sporting project to extend an illustrious career.
