Talks between the club and the 34-year-old right-back have progressed in recent days and both sides are on good terms, to the point that a medical has already been discussed. For now, however, there is no agreement closed or signed, and Getafe have not officially confirmed the move.

His free-agent status allows Carvajal to join any club even though the transfer window closed on 2 September. Getafe had spent weeks scouring the market for unattached players, and José Bordalás, who has been asking for a deeper squad since pre-season to cope with LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Conference League, is the main driving force behind the deal.

Two hurdles remain. The first is financial: the salary of a player with his career is not easy for Getafe to accommodate, and the deal needs the green light from LaLiga's economic control. The latest squad cost limit published by LaLiga puts the club at 57 million euros, 22 million more than in January, an improvement that makes the effort easier.

The second is physical. Carvajal suffered a serious injury to his right knee in October 2024, in a Real Madrid-Villarreal match, and has had problems with that joint ever since. The medical will carry decisive weight before the final go-ahead is given.

During the summer, Carvajal received offers from MLS, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and in recent weeks he had been linked with AC Milan, but his priority is to keep competing in a top-level European league.

Carvajal said goodbye to Real Madrid on 23 May against Athletic Club, in his 451st game for the first team, after thirteen seasons. He left with 27 trophies —six Champions Leagues, six Club World Cups, five UEFA Super Cups, four league titles, two Copas del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups—, second only to Luka Modric in the club's history, as well as 14 goals, including the opener in the 2024 Wembley final against Borussia Dortmund. With Spain he won Euro 2024 and the Nations League.

At right-back, Bordalás currently has Andrés García, on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season, and Kiko Femenía, who is back training with the group after the tear in the biceps femoris of his left leg that has kept him out since early September. Getafe, eleventh with eight points from seven matchdays, return to action this weekend after the international break.