Real Madrid has a third defender to add to their backline prior to the following season, after a deal for Benfica's Alvaro Carreras was confirmed on Monday evening. The 22-year-old was the target of Los Blancos since the end of May, but eventually got a deal on the line after weeks of negotiations.
The most important bottleneck was the prize, with Real Madrid who wanted to spend around € 40 million on Carreras, but Benfica demanded his full release clause of € 50 million. In the end, the two closed a deal for Real Madrid to pay the full amount, but in installments. Added to Dean Huijsen (€ 60 million) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (€ 10 million), the summer spending of Real Madrid is needed to € 120 million.
The former Academy player signed a deal with Los Blancos until 2031, making it the long-term answer in left-back for Real Madrid. His competition on the function, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy, both have deals until 2027 and 2028, but the first will remain, while Los Blancos will try to move Mendy if possible.
Carreras moved to Real Madrid from Deportivo La Coruna in 2017 and spent three years in the Academy of the Club Before moving to Manchester United in 2020. Two years later he would spend time on loan in Preston North End, Granada, and eventually Benfica was made to the last permanent. United had a clause of 20% and earns € 10 million from the deal.
Last season, Carreras played 52 games for Benfica, scored four goals and gave five assists, achieving 4,520 minutes. He also packed 20 yellow cards in those games. Carreras made his name in the future, but the Spain Under-21 International (Nine Caps) has a more completed profile than Garcia.
He will be able to offer pace and dynamics in the future, but also more consistent delivery and a stingy defensive effort. The young defender is also experienced games in a rear four and a back five. His presentation will take place on Tuesday at 1 p.m.