Fabrizio Romano Confirms Real Madrid Have ‘Agreed Terms’ to Sign Former Man United Star | OneFootball

Real Madrid Agree Terms with Alvaro Carreras Ahead of Formal Bid

Defensive Overhaul Gains Momentum

Real Madrid are not waiting for the dust to settle on their 2024/25 campaign. Defensive frailties were a recurring issue across the season, and incoming manager Xabi Alonso is moving quickly to address them. A full-back reshuffle is firmly underway, and 22-year-old Alvaro Carreras of Benfica is the latest name on their list.

According to Fabrizio Romano, on X, Real Madrid has ‘already agreed terms’ with Carreras, although club to club talks have yet to take place.

Carreras’ rise since leaving Manchester United has been impressive. After just one season in Portugal, his blend of attacking instinct and disciplined positioning has made him a standout. Madrid’s interest is no accident. The club is actively preparing a bid, with the Taca de Portugal final on Sunday acting as the final bookmark before formal negotiations commence.

€50m Release Clause a Key Factor

The financials are straightforward but flexible. Carreras’ release clause is believed to be around €50 million. While Madrid could activate it outright, negotiations are expected to come first.

Patrick Berger noted that Real Madrid’s preference is to settle on a lower fee, especially given that they’ve already secured personal terms with the player. That advantage puts them in a strong negotiating position, particularly with Carreras reportedly eager to return to Spain.

Former Club United to Benefit

There’s a twist involving Carreras’ former club, Manchester United. Though they opted not to activate a £15m buy-back clause in January, they did install a sell-on clause into the original Benfica deal. It means that even as they sit this one out, United stand to profit financially should Madrid complete the transfer.

Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that there are no plans of Carreras returning to Old Trafford.

With Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu already in place, United’s priorities appear to lie elsewhere — even if many fans are scratching their heads at letting a player Madrid now covet go unrecalled.

Photo: IMAGO

Madrid’s Broader Strategy Under Alonso

This potential move is part of a larger strategy. Trent Alexander-Arnold has already been lined up, and Dean Huijsen is expected to slot into central defence. There’s also talk of Ibrahima Konaté being targeted from Liverpool. If Madrid land all three, plus Carreras, that’s four potential starting defenders in one window.

In a summer shaped by high ambition and structural overhaul, Real Madrid are showing the kind of forward planning that helped define their past eras. Carreras would not just be a signing for the present, but for the next cycle — one in which Alonso’s style and system will demand energy, width and tactical maturity from his full-backs.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This is a transfer that makes complete sense. Alvaro Carreras offers everything modern football demands from a full-back — composure, pace, intelligent positioning, and a willingness to push high without losing defensive shape. Watching him flourish at Benfica has only reinforced his promise.

He’s not just a fallback option; he feels like a deliberate choice. Trent on the right, Carreras on the left — the balance is clear. For Xabi Alonso, who values structured build-up and overlapping width, Carreras is more than a project. He’s a ready-made weapon with the capacity to grow.

What’s more impressive is Madrid’s negotiation playbook. They’ve done the groundwork, secured the player’s approval, and now hold leverage. €50 million for a young Spaniard already seasoned in European competition? That feels like a wise long-term investment.

If Madrid can seal this, fans will see a defence next season that doesn’t just survive injuries and pressure — it sets the tone for a new era of dominance.