Real Madrid considering tactical move against Benfica over €50m-rated top target | OneFootball

Despite their best efforts, Real Madrid have been unable to close the signing of top left-back target Alvaro Carreras from SL Benfica in time for the FIFA Club World Cup.

The former La Fabrica youngster is seen as the first-choice option to reinforce the left-back position under new manager Xabi Alonso.

An agreement over personal terms has been reached with the Spanish talent but Benfica refused to let him leave for a fee lower than his €50 million release clause.

Furthermore, the Portuguese giants went on to name Carreras in their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup, indicating that they would not budge from their stance.

Real Madrid were caught off guard by Benfica’s decision. The club reluctantly accepted the situation and even though they briefly considered looking for another left-back, the decision to sign Carreras had already been made.

Real Madrid could retaliate at Benfica

However, now, according to journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon (h/t SPORT), Real Madrid are exploring an avenue through which they can retaliate against Benfica over the situation surrounding Carreras.

Real Madrid’s main left-back target. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Real Madrid can activate Carreras’s release clause on 1 July and immediately make him their player. The move is unilateral and permitted under the existing agreement with the defender, meaning Benfica would have no recourse once the €50 million is paid.

If the Portuguese club progresses from Group C of the Club World Cup – where they face Bayern Munich, Auckland City, and Boca Juniors – and win in the Round of 16, they could then find themselves without Carreras for the quarter-finals on 4 or 5 July.

This scenario is now a possibility. The first condition is that Benfica advance to the quarter-finals. The second is that Real Madrid follow through and activate the clause.

While it has been considered, this type of manoeuvre is not typical of Florentino Perez’s approach. As such, it is unlikely that Real Madrid would engage in such a move purely to retaliate for Benfica’s refusal to accelerate the transfer.