Real Madrid announce new signing to take summer spending to €120m | OneFootball

Real Madrid have a third defender to add to their backline ahead of next season, after a deal for Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras was confirmed on Monday evening. The 22-year-old had been targeted by Los Blancos since late May, but have eventually gotten a deal over the line after weeks of negotiations.

The main sticking point was the price, with Real Madrid keen to spend around €40m on Carreras, but Benfica demanding his full €50m release clause. Ultimately, the two have reached a deal for Real Madrid to pay the full amount, but in instalments. Added to deals for Dean Huijsen (€60m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (€10m), it takes Real Madrid’s summer spend to €120m.

Carreras signs six-year contract with Real Madrid

The former academy player has signed a deal with Los Blancos until 2031, making him the long-term answer at left-back for Real Madrid. His competition at the position, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy, both have deals until 2027 and 2028, but the former is set to stay, while Los Blancos will seek to move Mendy on if possible.

Image via Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Carreras moved to Real Madrid in 2017 from Deportivo La Coruna, spending three years in the club’s academy before a move to Manchester United in 2020. Two years later, he would spend time on loan at Preston North End, Granada, and finally Benfica before the move to the latter was made permanent. United had a 20% sell-on clause, and will earn €10m from the deal.

Xabi Alonso gets different style of left-back

Last season Carreras played 52 games for Benfica, scoring four goals and giving five assists, racking up 4,520 minutes. He also picked up 20 yellow cards in those games. Carreras made his name going forward, but the Spain under-21 international (nine caps) has a more rounded profile than Garcia.

He will be able to provide pace and dynamism going forward, but also more consistent delivery, and a miserly defensive effort. The young defender is also experienced playing in a back four and a back five. His presentation will take place at 13:00 CEST on Tuesday.