The Real Madrid season has been complicated for many reasons, leading to a summer of changes, starting with the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. Several of the problems could be solved within the team itself, as Xabi Alonso has shown, but others required the arrival of new players such as Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The defense has been the most problematic area, and the search for a left back continues, with Álvaro Carreras looking like the likely candidate.
Carreras signing
For weeks, Álvaro Carreras has been the white team’s choice to strengthen that position. Real Madrid considered several options but opted for an old acquaintance whose signing has not been as straightforward as expected. The full-back has a contract with Benfica, who also played in the Club World Cup, and he has used this to stand firm in the negotiations, making it impossible for the player to leave before the tournament.
Once the Whites’ participation in the tournament is over, negotiations with the Portuguese side will resume, as the agreement with the player is complete. During the preliminary negotiations, Benfica stood firm on the €50 million release clause, while Real Madrid remained at offers of around €35-40 million. We will have to see what happens in the coming weeks, but everything points to the Whites paying the clause to secure the player.
Fran García gains ground
All this speculation about Álvaro Carreras’ future as a Real Madrid player comes at a time when the much-questioned Fran García is having a remarkable World Cup, which has not gone unnoticed by coach Xabi Alonso. The player has gone from being transferable to indispensable, and not because he is the only option available. The former Rayo Vallecano player is enjoying a great run of form and the numbers speak for themselves. Against Juventus, for example, he made 47 passes, all of them successful, won nine duels, had 75 touches and delivered four crosses. His great run culminated against Borussia, where he scored the second goal after a strong, low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, which he finished first time.
Mendy and a complicated injury
The third player in the equation is Ferland Mendy, who has not had a good year in terms of injuries. The full-back was returning from injury in the Copa del Rey final, and Carlo Ancelotti pushed him hard due to his lack of confidence in Fran García. The Frenchman lasted just eight minutes on the pitch. That latest injury saw him undergo surgery for a torn rectus femoris tendon in his right quadriceps.
Initially, when the official medical report was released, it pointed to a couple of months on the sidelines. However, the recovery time will now be longer than expected. According to MARCA, Mendy could be out until October, which raises questions about whether it is the Frenchman who should leave the team and not Fran García.
Real Madrid’s decision
The fact is that the club has doubts about the Frenchman due to his multiple injuries and because they do not know if it could be something chronic. Given the doubts, the door has been opened for him to be the player to leave, and according to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are considering making a financial effort to let the full-back go. The player has a valid contract, but according to the aforementioned source, Chamartín are considering letting the player go for a fee of around €10 million, which would make him an attractive asset for any team.