Real Madrid Faces Stiff Resistance in Pursuit of Álvaro Carreras as Benfica Holds Firm on €50 Million Clause
Real Madrid's Transfer Hopes Hit a Wall with Benfica's Álvaro Carreras
Things just got tense between Real Madrid and Benfica as negotiations over Álvaro Carreras grind to a halt. The Spanish giants—fresh off big-money moves for Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold—were hoping to bring the promising left-back to Madrid. But Benfica isn't budging. Their demand is simple: pay Carreras's hefty €50 million release clause, or walk away. With Carreras locked into a contract that runs until 2029, Benfica knows they hold all the cards.
This isn’t just about numbers scribbled in a contract. Benfica president Rui Costa didn't even entertain Madrid’s first offers, casually sliding them off the table. Manager Bruno Lage spelled it out for anyone who missed the memo: "There has to be a proposal that Benfica can agree on." Translation? Unless Real raises their offer, Carreras isn’t going anywhere soon.
Adding another layer of trouble, Carreras is registered for the Club World Cup with Benfica, which shuts down any chance of a summer move for now. Players on that list are off-limits for transfers until the tournament is over, so all Real can do is wait—and hope.
Madrid’s Motivation Grows—But Benfica Knows It
Why are Madrid so desperate? The short answer: defensive headaches. Under new boss Xabi Alonso, the team needs a rock-solid left-back. Carreras, just 22 but already a mainstay at Benfica, fits the bill. He isn't just a steady defender. His stats are impressive for his position—five goals and seventeen assists in 116 games. For a left-back, that's way above average.
Behind all the drama, there's some sly maneuvering. Benfica is well aware of Madrid’s urgency and their recent spending spree. But there’s a twist—reports suggest Benfica's own budget headaches may play into Madrid's hands during later negotiations. Some inside the Portuguese club are at odds over money, potentially giving the Spaniards a sliver of hope to get the deal done on their terms.
Still, unless someone blinks, it’s stalemate. Benfica is betting that Madrid will eventually pay what they want, especially if their defensive issues mount when the season starts. On the other side, Madrid is quietly keeping their word to Carreras’s camp, reassuring him they’ll return to the table post-Club World Cup. Both clubs are locked in a classic transfer standoff, waiting to see who caves first.
For now, Benfica fans will see their star man in red a little longer—and Real Madrid just has to be patient. Whether anyone coughs up that transfer fee remains to be seen.