Story byReal Madrid see former academy star as Carvajal’s long-term successor – reportMadrid UniversalFri, December 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM UTC·2 min readAccording to a recent report from Fichajes, it has come to light that Real Madrid are actively preparing for life after Dani Carvajal, and the club has identified Alex Jimenez as a potential successor at right-back. It must be noted that there is nothing but respect for Carvajal and everything he has given over the years. However, the reality of elite football is unavoidable. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThose within the club are beginning to accept that Carvajal is entering the final phase of his career and that maintaining the intense physical demands required at the very top is becoming increasingly difficult. Sources close to the situation believe that Real Madrid are unlikely to offer the veteran a contract renewal. With that in mind, alternative scenarios are being quietly explored and there is also growing attention around Qatar as a possible destination for Carvajal next summer. Another former player on radarThis changing landscape has pushed the club to scan the market for long-term solutions, and one name has gained strong backing internally, not just for sporting reasons but also for emotional ones. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJimenez is a familiar face at Valdebebas. A former Real Madrid academy player, he left the club in search of regular minutes and the chance to grow without the pressure that comes with wearing white. Alex Jimenez is currently on loan at Bournemouth.