After weeks of drama with Benfica, Álvaro Carreras is now officially a Real Madrid player. The club made the signing of the Ferrol-born full-back official on Monday, leaving three players in that position in the squad. Someone is surplus to requirements and there has been much speculation about Ferland Mendy and Fran García. Despite the latter’s great World Cup, or perhaps because of it, he is more sought-after on the market and could be the one to move on in the coming weeks. There is a new suitor with a special incentive for the former Rayo Vallecano player.
Official career
It has not been easy, but the soap opera is over. Benfica prevented the player from signing ahead of the Club World Cup and finally got its way, with the initial offers from the Whites, which were on the decline, falling by the wayside. Real Madrid has paid the player’s release clause, around $50 million, to sign an old acquaintance in Álvaro Carreras.
Real Madrid announced the deal as follows: “Real Madrid C. F. and Sport Lisboa e Benfica have reached an agreement for the transfer of Álvaro Carreras, who will remain at our club for the next six seasons, until June 30, 2031. Álvaro Carreras came up through the Real Madrid youth academy, where he played between 2017 and 2020 in the cadet and youth categories. He joined Benfica from Manchester United after being named the English club’s best U-23 player in the 2021-22 season. With Benfica, he won the Portuguese League Cup this year.” His presentation is scheduled for this afternoon.
Fran García and a great World Cup that puts him in the spotlight
Looking ahead to the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso only had one left-back outside the youth team, Fran García, who has taken a leap forward in quality during the tournament. The player is enjoying his best spell at Madrid since his arrival. He started every game in the tournament and put in some more than acceptable performances. He looked more confident and less hesitant than during the season and contributed in attack. Against Juventus, for example, he made 47 passes, all of them good, won nine duels, had 75 touches and made four crosses. In the quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund, he unleashed all his anger with a goal that made it 2-0.
During the tournament, he spoke to the press about his performance. “Because of my style of play and my physical qualities, I try to give my best not only for myself but also for the team. I try to be ready every time I get the chance to play and help my teammates. The situation I’m in today with the team is something you work for. Now that I have it, I want to take advantage of it, enjoy it, and give my best, both individually and collectively. I finished last year well, I think the feelings were good. We have to keep working, polishing things. It’s an evolution that we have to continue. We can all improve a little bit. If I do, the club will appreciate it, my teammates will too, and I’m sure we’ll do well.”
The full-back also assessed how he feels about the 3-man defense and two wing-backs system. “I feel I benefit from this defense with three center backs and two wing-backs. It allows me to enjoy myself a little more in attack. It’s something that suits my physical and footballing characteristics well.” However, someone has to leave the team with the arrival of Álvaro Carreras, and his great performances have put him in the shop window, attracting the attention of a big European club.
Modric’s Milan wants the full-back
We’re talking about Milan, according to reports in Italy. The Real Madrid full-back is on the Italian team’s list of reinforcements to replace Theo Hernández. Luka Modric has just arrived at Milan, which could be an incentive for the Real Madrid full-back, who would feel supported in this new adventure. Time will tell, but the truth is that the player has suitors and Real Madrid would not mind opening the door for him and receiving around $15 million for his departure.