Real Madrid and Álvaro Carreras issue na one big tori wey don dey drag for wetin concern football transfer. My guy be Spanish lef-back wey dey play for Benfica since 2024 and im don turn hot cake for many clubs, especially Real Madrid wey don dey track am since, and like this dem don Dey close to brining am to Santiago…..
Make we start from background: Carreras na product of Real Madrid youth academy, but in 2020 e move go Manchester United, where dem give am youth contract. Then dem loan am out to Preston North End, Granada, before finally landing for Benfica for loan in January 2024. Benfica later make the move permanent for small fee (€6m plus add-ons), and they tie am down to long-term contract until 2029 .
As e dey be, Carreras don get solid break for Benfica, make enough appearances and even chop some awards like being named inside Primeira Liga Team of the Year . That performance attract eyes from Real Madrid, especially as Xabi Alonso dey prepare team for World Club Cup and next season. Madrid need better options for left-back, cos Mendy dey injury prone .
By May, reports start to say say Real Madrid don close to agreement with Carreras. Mundo Deportivo report say them don reach verbal agreement and Carreras don agree five-year contract paying around €9m per year . Defensa Central add say official unveiling go follow after Portuguese Cup final on May 25 .
But the deal no dey simple. Benfica mark Carreras with €50m release clause. Real Madrid come dey negotiate, even offer €40m initially but still dey 8 million less than what Benfica want . This na one major problem because time dey run out to register am before Club World Cup deadline (June 10) . Moreover, Manchester United still get €18m buy-back clause, and some report talk say Madrid wan use United trigger that buy-back to bypass Benfica’s high price, then buy am cheaper (e.g. €35m) . But FIFA rules no allow back-to-back transfer like that inside 16 weeks — so “bridge transfer” fit land dem sanctions .
Despite creative plan, Benfica still insist no formal agreement dey yet: President Rui Costa talk say deal never finalize cos club dey hold firm on price — e remain say Carreras go play Club World Cup with Benfica . Even more, environment around Carreras dey surprised say Benfica claim no Real Madrid bid dey .
On top of that, other outlets like Football Espana report say Real Madrid dey consider Alejandro Grimaldo as backup plan if Carreras deal fall through . Manchester United also fit gain some windfall if deal go through, cos of their buy-back clause and sell-on percentage, estimates show dem fit collect €16.8m–20m .
By early June, tori con dey wane true. Rumor say agreement don near – as OkDiario journalist Iván Martín say deal don seal for €45m with payment in installments (€22.5m + €22.5m), plus extra €5m add-ons links . But follow-up story say payment terms cause fresh delay — Benfica want up-front lump sum, while Madrid want installments, so Carreras dey vex, e dey press for rebellion to force move .
Eventually, Carreras no make squad for Club World Cup, cos deal no land before registration deadline and he remain at Benfica . Negotiations now shift to post-tournament — and most expect finalization around August, ahead of next season .