TA: Real Madrid is talking to Benfica about A-fee transfer & players are willing to return, Gutierrez and others are the alternatives

May 21 TheAthletic reported that Real Madrid is negotiating with Benfica on the transfer of left-back Alvaro Carreras (Fei).

It is reported that Carreras has a 50 million euro termination clause in Benfica's contract, but Real Madrid hopes to reach an agreement at a lower cost. Carreras, 22, is eager to join Real Madrid and is expected to announce his personal decision after the Portuguese Cup final against Portugal Sports on Sunday. Negotiations between the two clubs and the players will accelerate after Benfica will also accelerate after the match.

If the deal can be successfully finalized, Real Madrid hopes that Carreras can participate in the Club World Cup that will start on June 14. Real Madrid are seeking to strengthen the depth of the left-back position this summer, with Bournemouth's Kolkerz and Leverkusen's Grimaldo also on the shortlist.

Girona left-back Gutierrez is still a choice for Real Madrid, with Real Madrid having a buyback clause of 8 million euros. Carreras played for Real Madrid youth training camp from 2017 to 2020, but never played for the first team. He then joined Manchester United, but did not make his first team debut, and was loaned to the Premier League and Granada. In January 2024, he was loaned to Benfica, who activated the 6 million euro permanent transfer clause to sign him.

Manchester United has a €18 million (including small additional terms) repurchase clause in Carreras' transfer to Benfica. Manchester United weighed whether to trigger the clause this winter window this year. Although Manchester United finally signed Dogu from Lecce for 30 million euros as the left-back, they also considered recalling Carreras if negotiations with Lecce are blocked. However, sources around Carreras said that he did not consider transfer in January at the time.

Carreras played 65 times for Benfica, scored 5 goals and sent 6 assists.