Real Madrid is on the verge of signing Benfica’s left-back, Álvaro Carreras, in a deal expected to be finalized this week.
The Madrid club will pay the €50 million release clause after failing to negotiate a lower price.
Carreras was identified as a top target since the end of May, as new coach Xabi Alonso is not fully convinced by the current left-back options – Ferland Mendy and Fran García.
Carreras, who was previously part of Real Madrid’s academy, has expressed a strong desire to return to the Santiago Bernabéu and has already reached a personal agreement with the club.
Benfica had hoped to keep Carreras for the Club World Cup, but they have agreed to let him leave before June 10, when the temporary transfer window closes.
This transfer is expected to impact the future of either Mendy or García, with one likely to leave during the summer.
Mendy has higher wages, but García is attracting more interest from Premier League and Serie A clubs.
With Carreras’ arrival, Real Madrid is also expected to pull out of the race for Alejandro Grimaldo, clearing the way for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to compete for his signature.
