A player wearing a red Benfica jersey and an older man with glasses and a thoughtful expression in front of a bright yellow background

Breaking news on Carreras's signing: Benfica asks for more and Florentino activates plan B

Real Madrid is considering two new full-backs if Benfica persists in their plan to include Carreras in the World Cup

03/06/2025 12:00:00h

Real Madrid is at a crossroads regarding the signing of Álvaro Carreras. The 22-year-old left-back from Benfica was the main option to strengthen that position.

However, negotiations have become complicated due to the demands of the Portuguese club.

Benfica wants Álvaro Carreras in the Club World Cup

Benfica insists that Real Madrid pay the €50 million release clause to free the player. In addition, they want to have Carreras for the Club World Cup, which would delay his arrival to the white team.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is seeking a price reduction or a more favorable payment structure. So far, there haven't been any significant advances.

Xabi Alonso wants to have the player available for the Club World Cup. If that's not possible, the deal could be in jeopardy.

Two men appear in the image, one of them is wearing glasses and a dark suit, while the other has a beard and is wearing a casual t-jersey, both looking in opposite directions with a gray background behind them.

Xabi Alonso wants to have the signings available at the Club World Cup | Getty Images, Madrid-Barcelona

Two international stars as plan B for Real Madrid

Given this situation, Florentino Pérez has started to consider alternatives. One of them is Theo Hernández, current AC Milan player and former Madridist.

The Frenchman is under contract until 2026, but his relationship with the Italian club has cooled. His price would be around €25 million ($27.2 million), a more affordable figure for Real Madrid.

Another option being considered is Alejandro Grimaldo, who has shined under Xabi Alonso's management at Bayer Leverkusen. Grimaldo, trained at La Masia, has shown a high level in the Bundesliga and could be a strategic addition.

AC Milan player celebrating a goal in front of the goal with his hand raised and the crowd in the background

Real Madrid is currently considering swapping Álvaro Carreras for Theo Hernández | Getty Images

€25 million ($27.2 million) to advance three signings

Real Madrid has until June 10 to finalize signings before the Club World Cup. The final decision will depend on negotiations with Benfica and the viability of the alternatives.

Florentino already had to pay €5 million ($5.4 million) to advance Xabi Alonso's signing and €10 million ($10.9 million) so Liverpool would allow Alexander-Arnold to play in white at the Club World Cup.

Paying €10 million ($10.9 million) more for Carreras now would mean that Real Madrid would spend €25 million ($27.2 million) to advance their three signings. This is an issue that the white club's board is currently considering.

➡️ Real Madrid