After weeks of drama with Benfica, Álvaro Carreras is now officially a Real Madrid player. The club made it official on Monday that they signed the Ferrol-born full-back, who’s coming to a spot where there are already two guys: Ferland Mendy and Fran García. One of them has to go, and the team has put a price on both, but the Spanish full-back’s awesome Club World Cup has put him in the spotlight, which could make it easier for him to leave, and there’s already been some talks about it.
Fran García on the map after the World Cup
Xabi Alonso inherited the problems that the team had been dragging along at left back. Mendy was still injured and no signing arrived, so his only asset for the tournament was Fran García, who did not have the backing of Carlo Ancelotti throughout the season.
However, the former Rayo Vallecano player has shown his best form during the tournament, looking more confident in defense and with great attacking potential, benefiting from the system of three center backs and two wingbacks proposed by Xabi Alonso.
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 3-2-1 defense system. “I feel I benefit from this defense with three center backs and two wingbacks. 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 performance has put him in the shop window, attracting the attention of a big European club.
Starting price
Fran García’s performances in the Club World Cup have increased his value. The club would consider letting him go if a transfer offer of around €25-30 million comes in. In the past, a lower figure was mentioned, but his market value and interest in the market have risen and Real Madrid wants to take advantage of that. The same cannot be said for Mendy, who is always injured and for whom the Whites have set an affordable asking price of €14 million.
Initial contact with Milan
We are 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 Spanish full-back’s final decision. In the last few hours, it has been revealed that Ginés Carvajal, who shares representation with Carreras, is looking for new horizons for Fran García and has already made initial contact with the Italian team to finalize his signing.