Real Madrid has officially announced the signing of Álvaro Carreras from Benfica, marking their fourth major acquisition of the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old left-back returns to the club where he spent his formative years in the youth academy. Carreras has signed a six-year contract that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 30, 2031.
The transfer fee is reported to be €50 million. Interestingly, Manchester United, Carreras' former club, is set to benefit from this deal due to a sell-on clause included in the agreement when he moved to Benfica. They are expected to receive approximately £7.5 million from the transfer.
Carreras' journey to Real Madrid has been a winding one. He initially joined Real Madrid's youth setup in 2017 and stayed until 2020. Seeking first-team opportunities, he moved to Manchester United. However, he never broke into the first team at Old Trafford and was subsequently loaned out to Preston North End, Granada, and Benfica. It was during his loan spell with Benfica that he truly began to shine. The Portuguese club made the move permanent in July 2024 for a reported €6 million plus €3 million in add-ons. Last season, he made 68 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals and contributing significantly to Benfica's campaign, including their run in the Champions League and victory in the Taça da Liga.
Real Madrid's decision to bring Carreras back is driven by a need to reinforce their left-back position. The club has faced challenges in that area, with Ferland Mendy struggling with injuries and Fran García's performances being inconsistent. Carreras is viewed as a modern full-back, possessing speed, technical ability, and effectiveness in both attacking and defensive phases. His versatility allows him to play in a back four or as a wing-back, fitting well with new manager Xabi Alonso's tactical plans.
Carreras is already in Madrid and will be officially unveiled at Ciudad Real Madrid. He will be presented by club president Florentino Pérez.
This signing is part of a broader defensive overhaul under Xabi Alonso, who took over after Carlo Ancelotti's departure. In addition to Carreras, Real Madrid has also added Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold to their defensive ranks. The club is aiming to rebound after a trophyless 2024-25 season.
