Xabi Alonso has reportedly decided on the next player he wants to add to his Real Madrid squad this summer, following the approaches of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono.
Alonso, 43, has so far guided Real Madrid to three wins and a draw in his first four games as coach in the Club World Cup, with the latest 1-0 victory over Juventus taking the team into the quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this Saturday.
Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen have been called up four times so far by Alonso, while Mastantuono played for River Plate in the tournament and will join Real on August 14, when he turns 18.
But the summer transfer window for Real Madrid is not closed yet.
According to journalist Jorge Picon, the club is still in talks to transfer Benfica left-back, Spanish Alvaro Carreras.
Picon wrote on X: "Real Madrid have not closed the door to the market, but are not working on any other move than Carreras this summer. Only a departure or an unexpected opportunity could change the plan, as the team is considered to be quite competitive."
Back in May, The Mail reported that Real were in talks over a possible move for the former Manchester United defender.
Meanwhile, Spanish media outlet Relevo suggested that the deal was specifically requested by Alonso himself.
Carreras, who has a contract with Benfica until the summer of 2029, recorded four goals and five assists during the 2024/25 season, where his team finished second behind Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga.
But how can Manchester United benefit from this transfer?
In May, the Manchester Evening News reported that the Red Devils had included a buy-back clause when Carreras left the club for £5 million in May 2024.
This clause is around £15 million, while other clubs must pay a release clause of €50 million (£42.1 million).
United also retain a 20% share if any sale exceeds £5 million.
If the 22-year-old joins Real, he will compete with Fran Garcia, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy for a place in Xabi Alonso's left-back position./Express newspaper/
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