The latest Manchester United transfer news as Benfica transfer chief breaks silence on Real Madrid interest in Alvaro Carreras
Alvaro Fernandez
Alvaro Fernandez left Manchester United last summer to join Benfica - and now could be on his way to Real Madrid
(Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Benfica president Rui Costa says Real Madrid are yet to approach the Portuguese club with a bid to sign former Manchester United defender Alvaro [Fernandez] Carreras. The 22-year-old joined Benfica last summer after United agreed a deal to join Bruno Lage's side for a reported £5million last summer having failed to break into the United first-team set-up.
Carreras was highly rated during his time at Old Trafford, enjoying a number of successful loan spells away from the club with Preston North End, Granada and Benfica, before making the move to Portugal permanent last summer.
United signed the Spanish full back from Real Madrid in 2020 and his former club are reportedly keen on signing him again this summer. Ruben Amorim's side were also linked with a transfer swoop for the former academy talent, having impressed with Benfica last season.
Carreras made 52 appearances in all competitions for the Primeira Liga side last season, scoring four goals and is part of the Benfica squad currently in action in the Club World Cup. It's in that tournament, that Spanish publication Marca spoke with the player and Benfica president Costa about Real's reported interest in the player.
Speaking to Marca, Coasta said: "They should make us an offer. None have come so far. If they do, we'll see what happens.
"Now is not the time, and it won't be until the tournament and our participation are over. Until then, there's no need to talk about anything. Carreras is here with us."
Benfica recently defeated Bayern Munich to reach the last 16 of the Club World Cup and will face Chelsea in the next round of the competition.
"We had to qualify and what we did, and on top of that, winning," Costa added. "Defeating a team like Bayern Munich is very difficult, and the credit goes to the players.
"It was very important for us to reach the round of 16, and now we have to keep looking at our opponents and see how far we can go."
Carreras was also approached by Marca to discuss his future amid links with Real Madrid, with United watching on with interest after a sell-on clause was agreed with the Portuguese outfit.
"Now the important thing is the [Club] World Cup," Carreras said, keeping his cards close to his chest regarding a possible transfer. "Everything is fine."
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.