Barcelona will keep a close eye on one particular Benfica star during UCL clash | OneFootball

Barcelona will take on SL Benfica later tonight in the UEFA Champions League away at Estadio da Luz.

A victory today would all but ensure that the Catalans will finish in the top eight of the UCL table and secure direct qualification to the knockout stages.

But Benfica will not be an easy opponent with players like Angel Di Maria, Orkun Kokcu, and Nicolas Otamendi, among others, in their ranks.

Alvaro Carreras to get special attention from Barcelona

Now, according to SPORT, one Benfica player whom Barcelona will be watching very closely during tonight’s UCL clash is left-back Alvaro Carreras.

Formerly of the Real Madrid youth academy, the 21-year-old has emerged as a potential target for the Blaugrana to reinforce the left-back slot in the summer.

After spending the second half of the last season on loan at Benfica, Carreras joined them permanently from Manchester United in the summer in a €6 million deal and has been making a good impression.

On Barcelona’s radar. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

The youngster has been closely monitored by Barcelona scouts for several months as his profile perfectly matches what the Catalans are currently seeking: a young, rapidly developing full-back with international experience.

Carreras’ rise at Benfica has caught the attention of several other clubs apart from Barça, including Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, who are closely monitoring his progress.

Deco, with his strong connections in Portugal, was alerted to Carreras’ performances early in the season and has been keeping tabs on the player.

The Catalans aim to bring in a competitive left-back to complement Alejandro Balde and if the 21-year-old continues on this trajectory at Benfica, he could become a strong candidate.

For now, Barcelona continue to monitor his progress closely and will watch how he fares tonight with a keen eye when he faces Hansi Flick’s side.