Real Madrid close in on Alvaro Carreras! Los Blancos set to finally seal transfer for Benfica defender after Club World Cup

Alvaro Carreras

Real Madrid are near to striking a deal with Benfica to bring left-back Alvaro Carreras back to the club.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The two clubs began negotiating earlier in the summer but talks were postponed until after the Club World Cup as Benfica president Rui Costa refused to accept a lower offer from Madrid chief Florentino Perez for the 22-year-old full-back.

Alvaro Carreras

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Carreras first joined Madrid when he was 14, from Deportivo La Coruna. He left to join Manchester United in 2020 although he never made a senior appearance for the Red Devils. After an unsuccessful loan spell at Granada, the player's career finally took off when he moved to Benfica, first on loan and then permanently after signing a contract in 2024.

DID YOU KNOW?

Madrid hoped to sign Carreras in time for the Club World Cup but could not make the deal happen due to Rui Costa's reluctance to accept any offer lower than the player's €50m (£43m/$58m) release clause. But according to Marca, tensions between the two clubs have cooled and they are willing to discuss a move again.

Real Madrid CF v Borussia Dortmund: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Carreras and Madrid have already agreed personal terms and now it's up to the club to complete the deal so the player can begin preparing for the coming campaign, which kicks off against Osasuna on August 19. He is set to become new coach Xabi Alonso's fourth signing of the summer after Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, Franco Mastantuono from River Plate and Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool. Madrid face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup on Wednesday.