Real Madrid's machinery keeps moving forward for the upcoming transfer market. With Xabi Alonso shaping the new merengue project, there is already a clear roadmap: strengthen the left-back position.
Although the priority has a specific name, the club doesn't want to rely on just one option and already has a plan B that surprises due to its origin.
Xabi Alonso doesn't count on Mendy
The new white coach is clear that he needs serious competition for Fran García and that Mendy is not in his plans. The left-back position has become a priority. Although the focus is on an established player, from Valdebebas they are working with younger, lower-cost alternatives with room for growth.
Here comes Álvaro Carreras, a Real Madrid youth academy product and one of the great revelations of the season at Benfica.
Carreras has impressed with his tactical maturity, speed, and offensive capability. In Portugal, he has established himself as one of the most promising full-backs in Europe, and most importantly: he has Madridist DNA.
A full-back made in La Fábrica
Trained in La Fábrica, the young full-back left the club in search of playing time and could now return triumphantly. Xabi Alonso knows him well and values his versatility: he can play as a wing-back in a five-man defense or in a four-man line.
Álvaro Fernández Carreras 2025 - Insane Skills, Goals, Tackles & Assists | HD
Despite his past as a Real Madrid youth player in his early days, Xabi Alonso doesn't hesitate: it's not an obstacle to dressing him in white again. On the contrary, his progress at Benfica has been closely followed by Madridist scouts, who see him as an ideal profile if the main option doesn't materialize.
But Benfica doesn't seem willing to make it easy and, being Real Madrid, they will ask for 100 million for their player. If Florentino doesn't manage to bring the Portuguese down from their high horse, the white club will activate plan B.
Plan B is ready in Leverkusen
Plan B is none other than Alejandro Grimaldo. He is a former Barça player who didn't succeed at Camp Nou but reached international status with Spain through his work at Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen.
Alejandro Grimaldo ● Real Madrid Transfer Target ⚪🇪🇸 Best Tackles, Passes & Skills
Xabi Alonso knows him well and would be delighted to land at Bernabéu with Grimaldo in tow. The Donostian coach knows him firsthand and knows that his season has been spectacular.
Neither does Bayer Leverkusen seem willing to make it easy, but the circle has tightened. Either Carreras or Grimaldo. One of the two will be Real Madrid's left-back next season.