Real Madrid is very clear that it needs a left back, and the chosen player is Álvaro Carreras, whose departure is being made very difficult by Benfica. In fact, negotiations began with the idea that the player would be available to play in the Club World Cup with the white team, but, as no agreement was reached, he will play with his current club and it is expected that negotiations will resume once the tournament is over. If the signing becomes more complicated than expected, Real Madrid is not ruling out other alternatives.
Carreras on standby
Álvaro Carreras has been Real Madrid’s choice for left back. The club had been looking for a reinforcement for the wing for weeks and the chosen one was the Ferrol-born player, who already knows what it is like to wear the white shirt, having played for Valdebebas after arriving from Deportivo. With the player’s approval, the club began negotiations with Benfica for his signing. The Portuguese side, aware that they held the upper hand with the Club World Cup looming, remained firm in their refusal to budge on the financial terms.
Real Madrid’s idea was to lower the €50 million clause and started by offering around €35 million, ending with an offer of €40 million that did not convince the Portuguese, as confirmed by their president, Rui Costa, a few days ago. “There were offers that we did not like. So far, we haven’t received any that we like.“ ”We’ll see what happens with the market later on, not just with Álvaro, but with the whole market, but right now he’s focused on playing the World Cup with us, and that’s what he’s going to do,” he said.
A problem with the left back
If an agreement is reached, which everything indicates it will be, Álvaro Carreras will arrive at Real Madrid to be a starter after a season in which it has become more than clear that there is a problem on the left side of the defense. For Carlo Ancelotti, the starter in that position should have been Ferland Mendy, but the Frenchman’s constant injuries prevented him from having the continuity and level expected and needed.
In his absence, the natural replacement would be the other left-back in the squad, Fran García. However, the former Rayo Vallecano player has not enjoyed the confidence of the Italian coach. The full-back has shown great commitment and attitude, but he has lacked the level required for big games, in which the coach has preferred to move Camavinga to the left wing.
Theo Hernández could be the solution
Given this scenario, it is not surprising that the decision to turn to the transfer market has been a firm one. As we have said, Álvaro Carreras is the chosen one for the position, but the difficulties in the negotiations with Benfica open the door for the Whites to consider and keep other options in the pipeline.
One of them is an old acquaintance of the Whites, Theo Hernández, who already wore the white shirt in the 2017-2018 season. He is an experienced full-back, 27 years old, with a contract that expires in 2026, making him a good candidate for negotiation and a lower transfer fee.
Milan signed him for €20 million and, in the final year of his contract, would agree to sell him for a low price. According to the X Transfer News Live account, the Italian club’s target is €25 million, but as we said, as he enters the final year of his contract, the amount could be negotiated.