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Real Madrid have demonstrated in recent times that if they believe a player is not worth the price their club demands, they are willing to risk missing out on them. Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras is their leading candidate for the left-back position, but Los Blancos have been unable to reach an agreement.
Last week, it was reported that Real Madrid had already finalized a deal for Carreras, and he seems to have agreed on personal terms with the club as well. However, the deal has not been completed yet due to a disagreement over his price.
Carreras, 22, has a €50m release clause in his contract, and Benfica have so far refused to budge on that price tag. Marca say that they are willing to facilitate a more forgiving payment structure than the release clause. Los Blancos are keen to bring that price down and have made it clear that they are not going to pay that amount, and would be willing to walk away from the deal. For their part, Benfica are also keen to get what they can for Carreras, knowing Manchester United are set for a large chunk of money too.
Carreras will return to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have been linked with several left-backs in recent months, including another former Castilla graduate, Miguel Gutierrez. The club holds an €8 million buyback option on the Girona player. However, the leading alternative is Alejandro Grimaldo of Bayer Leverkusen, a former La Masia graduate who has flourished under new manager Xabi Alonso.
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Real Madrid wants the deal wrapped up before the Club World Cup
The goal for Los Blancos was to provide Alonso with a revamped backline for the Club World Cup, and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen have already signed. Carreras was the left-back expected to arrive before the Club World Cup, but if they cannot close a deal with Benfica, Grimaldo has made it clear he would be open to a move.
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