Former Manchester United youth player Alvaro Carreras has rapidly risen through the ranks at Portuguese club Benfica and has caught the eye of several European giants, including Real Madrid, according to reports from Ojogo.
Along with Los Blancos, their arch-rivals Barcelona are expected to enter into the fray for Carreras next year while United too have expressed an interest in signing the young defender.
The left-back has become a regular starter for Bruno Lage at Benfica, having appeared in all of their matches in Liga Portugal and starting in both of their games in the UEFA Champions League.
It has been widely reported that the former United academy product has caught the eye of scouts across the world with his pace and crossing ability. Atletico Madrid too are keeping a close tab on him, as are Italian giants Juventus.
Madrid, however, seem to have an upper hand as they are monitoring Carreras to replace the existing options they have at left-back at the moment. Ferland Mendy (29) and Fran Garcia (25) don the role for them currently.
Real Madrid will look to bolster the left-back position with Alvaro Carreras
While Atletico were beaten by Benfica for Carreras’ signature earlier this summer, it is Real Madrid who will be the biggest player in the market if the Portuguese giants do decide to sell the latter.
He was sent to the Estadio da Luz on loan by the Red Devils in January with a clause to buy him, which Benfic activated later on. The 21-year-old has been nothing short of exceptional since then and earned the confidence of his manager.
Carreras is a regular for the Spanish Under-21s and is expected to break into the senior side soon. Barcelona have Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martin in the left-back department at the moment, but they too are keeping a close eye on Carreras.
Of all the clubs in the fray, Manchester United are perhaps the poorest in the department that Carreras helms. With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia out with long-time injuries, it has fallen upon right-back Diogo Dalot to play as the left fullback this season.
While the Red Devils have a buyback option, Madrid will have to pay a premium fee for Carreras if they do decide to pursue him since he has a contract till 2029 with Benfica.
