Real Madrid are confident they can finalize a deal to bring back former academy player Álvaro Carreras from Benfica this week. The move comes after Benfica’s 3-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Portuguese Cup final, which may accelerate negotiations for the 22-year-old left-back. The Spanish giants see Carreras as the ideal candidate to address their ongoing struggles at left-back.
With Ferland Mendy frequently injured and Fran Garcia failing to impress consistently, Carreras offers a promising long-term solution for the position. Carreras, who previously trained at Real Madrid’s La Fábrica academy before stints at Manchester United and Benfica, fits the profile of a modern full-back. His pace and attacking instincts make him a perfect fit for incoming manager Xabi Alonso’s system, which emphasizes dynamic, overlapping full-backs.
Personal terms have already been agreed upon, with Carreras set to sign a contract until 2031 worth around €9 million per year. The agreement reflects Real Madrid’s belief in his potential to solidify their defense for years to come. The main hurdle remains negotiating a transfer fee with Benfica, who are holding out for Carreras’ €50 million release clause. However, Real Madrid hope to lower the cost by leveraging Manchester United’s €18 million buy-back clause or including players like Dani Ceballos and Fran Garcia in the deal. The club is pushing to complete the transfer quickly, with the FIFA Club World Cup beginning on June 14, 2025.
Real Madrid want Carreras integrated into Alonso’s squad as soon as possible to ensure he’s ready for the tournament. If the deal goes through, Carreras’ return could mark the end of Real Madrid’s left-back woes, providing much-needed stability and depth ahead of a crucial season under their new manager.