Arsenal
Arsenal eye Álvaro Carreras as Real Madrid open door to summer exit
Arsenal are seriously considering a move for Real Madrid left-back Álvaro Carreras this summer. Recent reports suggest that Madrid are now willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old before the 2026/27 season kicks off. Spanish outlet Sport recently supported claims made by CaughtOffside, noting that Madrid would not rule out a possible transfer after deciding that Carreras might not fit their long-term plans after all.
The Spaniard only moved to Madrid from Benfica in July 2025 for €50 million on a six-year deal. If he leaves just a year later, it would be a surprising and highly unusual move from the Bernabéu board. Carreras actually started the season well, securing his spot as the primary left-back with his high-energy, attacking style. He managed two goals and two assists in 25 La Liga games, showing he could balance defensive duties with a real threat in the final third.
However, his performance levels dropped during the second half of the year, with Ferland Mendy and Fran García both challenging him for his place. Carreras also had to take to Instagram to address a rumoured training ground clash with Antonio Rüdiger, claiming his commitment to the team is still unwavering. While Manchester United, Juventus, and Napoli are watching him closely, Arsenal are thought to be leading the race because of a better wage package and a promise from Mikel Arteta that he will play regularly.
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Should Arsenal really spend big on a left-back this summer?
To be honest, this move feels a bit confusing from an Arsenal standpoint. The squad is already stocked with Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Piero Hincapié, whose loan from Bayer Leverkusen will likely become permanent. While Carreras is great at carrying the ball forward and stretching play, his recent dip in form highlighted a recurring issue: he can struggle with decision-making when he’s under pressure defensively.
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Spending more than €60 million, his current market value, on a position where Arsenal already have plenty of cover seems like an odd way to use the budget. This is especially true when you consider that the midfield and the strike force probably need more urgent investment before next season.