Alvaro Carreras is having an increasingly impressive season following his permanent exit from Manchester United.
The 22-year-old has played over 40 times in all competitions for Benfica, scoring four times and assisting five.
A return to Old Trafford has been spoken of as a possibility across the season and a new potential path has now been reported by AS in Spain, who speak of Real Madrid’s interest in the left-back.
The newspaper state that Los Blancos have been exploring the possibility of signing the ex-Manchester United talent for weeks.
Real Madrid’s tactic involves the player seeing Manchester United as a bridge, with them exercising their buyback clause before selling to Real Madrid.
AS put that clause at €18m, although it’s repeatedly been reported as €20m elsewhere. They believe Real Madrid could then buy him for something like €30-35m.
This has been described as a ‘win-win situation’ for both Ruben Amorim’s side and Real Madrid.
Whilst it all may sound fairytale, there’s questions to ask.
AS say Benfica are asking for €60m, but other reports have said his buyout clause is €50m, so that doesn’t make sense.
In addition, it would be no surprise if there’s a further clause for Manchester United preventing them from selling him immediately.
Finally, if Benfica were to get €50m from a club for Carreras, Manchester United would be due a hefty cut of that which could work out more than the profit Real Madrid would offer.
