Real Madrid target former Man Utd left-back after injury crisis | OneFootball

Real Madrid have already taken the first steps towards recruiting a new left-back and have identified Benfica's Alvaro Carreras as a potential target, according to a report.

The Spanish full-back was never afforded a single senior minute of football for Manchester United after leaving Real Madrid's academy to joining the English giants' youth system in 2020. After four years and three loans, Benfica permanently signed Carreras for a modest €6m (£5.1m) last summer.

The Portuguese outfit stand to make a considerable profit on their left-back this summer - if they allow him to leave at all. United are said to have included a buy-back clause in Carreras' sale worth €20m (£17m), yet every other suitor would have to cough up €50m (£42.6m) for the 22-year-old's services.

Liverpool and Barcelona have both been floated as potential suitors. Real Madrid's interest in the defender has now been reaffirmed by The Athletic.

Following season-ending injuries to Ferland Mendy and David Alaba, Real Madrid could be forced to begin this summer's Club World Cup with Fran Garcia as the only natural left-back. This daunting scenario has supposedly prompted the club to begin the search for a new left-sided defender.

Carreras is thought to be keenly admired by Madrid, although his steep price tag is less endearing. Bournemouth's £45m-rated Milos Kerkez is expected to cost even more and is already being chased by Liverpool and Manchester City.

Former Madrid academy graduate, Miguel Gutierrez, is another player regularly tipped to return to the capital and is thought to be available for just €9m (£7.7m) this summer.

The figure who decides which left-back to field each weekend at Real Madrid next season is also up in the air. Carlo Ancelotti is widely expected to leave the Spanish capital before this summer's Club World Cup - even if a move to the Brazil national team no longer appears to be on the cards - and though Xabi Alonso is universally billed as Madrid's first-choice candidate, Bayer Leverkusen have not been told that their current manager is leaving just yet.