Álvaro Carreras To Be Unveiled As Real Madrid’s Latest Signing

Álvaro Carreras is set to become a new Real Madrid player this week after leaving Portugal, with the official announcement expected within 24 hours. The left-back arrives from Benfica following an agreement between the clubs for a €50 million transfer fee, paid in installments.

Álvaro Carreras has agreed on a five-year contract with Real Madrid.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid reached a deal with Benfica for Carreras after several weeks of negotiations. The Spanish defender has already left Portugal and is expected in Madrid, where he will be presented as a new addition to Xabi Alonso’s squad. The transfer was made possible after Manchester United declined to activate their buy-back clause for the 22-year-old, who previously spent time in their academy but never played a senior match for the club. Carreras’s rise began at Benfica, where his strong performances made him one of the top left-backs in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. Madrid will pay €50 million for his services, with the fee spread over several payments instead of a single lump sum. During his time at Benfica, Carreras recorded four goals and five assists in 49 matches last season.

Carreras helped Benfica reach the Champions League round of 16.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The move addresses Real Madrid’s need for a reliable left-back. Ferland Mendy’s recurring injuries and Fran Garcia’s inconsistency left a gap at the position. Carreras’s signing comes after Real Madrid missed out on Alphonso Davies, who renewed his contract with Bayern Munich. Xabi Alonso has focused on strengthening the backline this summer, also signing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and centre-back Dean Huijsen. Carreras’s versatility – able to play as a traditional full-back or in a back-three – offers Madrid more tactical options for the coming season.

Real Madrid has a tradition of effective full-backs and Carreras is seen as a perfect fit for their style of play.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MADRID AND CARRERAS?

Real Madrid finished last season as La Liga runner-ups and reached the Club World Cup semifinals, but are eager to reclaim European dominance after their elimination by PSG in the CWC and by Arsenal in the Champions League semifinals. Carreras is expected to compete immediately for the starting left-back role. Madrid’s opening fixture in the new La Liga campaign is against Osasuna, who finished 9th last season, level on points with Carreras’ former team Rayo Vallecano, the last team to get European football last season. Madrid enter the season as favorites but will face competition from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who sit just behind them in recent standings. With Carreras’s arrival, Real Madrid hope to strengthen their defense and maintain their position at the top of Spanish football.

Last season, Real Madrid finished second in La Liga.