Ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid have made initial direct talks with Benfica for left-back Alvaro Carreras, noted football journalist Fabrizio Romano said on Wednesday. The negotiations for the former Manchester United star are not likely to last forever and Real Madrid want the deal closed as soon as possible ahead of Xabi Alonso's first assignment in the United States.
Spaniard Carreras has already agreed to his personal terms with Real, earlier reports had said. "Real Madrid have now made official club to club contact with Benfica for Álvaro Carreras, deal could be done soon! Talks are now underway. Agreement already done with the player on personal terms. Excellent relationship between Benfica and Real," Fabrizio Romano said on X.
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Earlier, there were reports that left-back Ferland Mendy was one of the players Alonso set to have a word with immediately after taking charge. The new manager is expected to inform the Frenchman of reduced playtime, favoring a more attacking full-back with superior ball-carrying and forward-passing skills for his 4-2-2-2 formation. Carreras fits the bill well and the 6 feet 1 inch-tall star is superior to Mendy in aerial combats and agility as well.
22-year-old Alvaro Carreras, an attacking full-back known for his passing range and clinical interceptions, joined Portugal's Benfica from Manchester United in July 2024. Carreras, who made 32 appearances this season, has agreed to a five-year with Real Madrid, OneFootball said in a report. He will be earning a sum of about €9 million per year until 2028, the report added.
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Benfica asked all parties involved to wait until their Taça de Portugal Cup final against Sporting. Now the season is over, Real and Benfica are at the negotiation table to discuss the terms of the deal. Benfica want Real Madrid to pay Carreras' €50 million release clause, though earlier reports suggested Manchester United might help by triggering the buy-back clause for their wing-back. Once he was at Old Trafford, the youngster was to be sold to Real again for a lesser price. However, Manchester United are nowhere in the picture as things stand and it needs to be seen how much the Los Blancos are going to shell out for their target.