Benfica Refuses to Budge on Álvaro Carreras Fee—Real Madrid’s Hopes Put on Ice
Here’s the twist in Real Madrid’s latest transfer saga—you’d expect the Spanish powerhouse to get their way, but Benfica’s proving to be a tough nut to crack. Real Madrid tabled a €40 million bid for Álvaro Carreras, eyeing him as their next left-back star. Benfica’s response? A firm 'no,' and an even firmer price tag: €48 million. That’s just two million shy of Carreras' official €50 million release clause. So, instead of progressing towards a deal, things have hit an unexpected pause.
Benfica isn’t showing any sign of blinking first. President Rui Costa has made it clear: Carreras is still their player, and he’s going nowhere—at least not until after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Costa didn’t mince words when pointing out that Carreras has a contract to honor, and fans can expect to see him representing Benfica in the high-profile tournament next year. That puts a pin in Real Madrid’s hopes of wrapping up the deal quickly.
Madrid's Tactics Tested: A Familiar Battle Over Release Clauses
Real Madrid’s leaders are no strangers to this kind of standoff. They’ve maneuvered around release clauses before: remember Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono? On both occasions, Madrid managed to reel in young talents for less than their release prices, using creative payment plans and patient negotiation tactics. The difference this time is Benfica’s stubbornness—they’re set on squeezing every euro they can for Carreras.
What complicates things even more is that Carreras himself is already keen on the switch. In fact, those close to the deal say his personal terms with Madrid are all hammered out. None of that matters, though, until the clubs find common ground on the fee. It’s a reminder that, in modern football, a player’s wishes don’t always translate to action when clubs dig in their heels over millions.
Madrid seems prepared for a long game here. They aren’t eager to just pay the full release clause—few clubs are. Instead, the strategy is to bide their time, let Benfica enjoy the Club World Cup with their star left-back, and come back to the table when the dust settles. The logic? Benfica may feel more flexible after their world stage moment passes, especially if other clubs aren’t breaking down the door with better offers.
For now, Carreras is in limbo—practically a Madrid player on paper, but still running up and down the pitch for Benfica. Football fans know this dance well: sometimes the real drama isn’t on the field at all, but in back rooms filled with negotiating teams, drafts of contracts, and a whole lot of stubbornness. The clock’s ticking, but both sides seem willing to bet on time working in their favor. How this standoff ends might depend not just on money, but the result of Benfica’s high-stakes Club World Cup campaign.
10 Comments
Sara Lohmaier June 17, 2025 AT 21:12
bro benfica is acting like they got the holy grail lmao. €48m for a left-back who hasn’t even played a ucl game? i’ve seen more value in a used jersey on ebay.
Sara Lohmaier June 18, 2025 AT 03:13
While the financial standoff is understandable from Benfica’s perspective, it’s worth noting that Real Madrid’s historical negotiation patterns suggest patience often yields results. The club has consistently demonstrated an ability to align player aspirations with long-term club strategy, even when immediate consensus is absent.
Sara Lohmaier June 18, 2025 AT 05:26
this is why football transfer markets are so messed up. kid wants to go, madrid has his contract ready, but clubs play chess with cash. benfica should just take 45 and let him go - they’ll get more from the club world cup exposure than from holding him hostage.
Sara Lohmaier June 19, 2025 AT 18:29
I appreciate how both clubs are handling this with professionalism. Real Madrid isn’t rushing, and Benfica isn’t capitulating. It’s a reminder that football is as much about institutional integrity as it is about talent. Sometimes the best moves are the ones you wait for.
Sara Lohmaier June 19, 2025 AT 22:25
This is the most dramatic transfer saga since Messi’s PSG exit. Imagine Carreras scoring the winning goal in the Club World Cup final for Benfica - then walking straight to the Bernabéu after the final whistle. The cinematic potential here is insane. Someone get a director on the phone.
Sara Lohmaier June 20, 2025 AT 17:33
Funny how we treat footballers like commodities while pretending they’re athletes. Carreras has dreams, Madrid has a vision, Benfica has a spreadsheet. The real question isn’t whether he’ll move - it’s whether we’ve lost the ability to care about the human behind the contract clause. We cheer the deal, not the boy.
Sara Lohmaier June 21, 2025 AT 00:59
Benfica is playing 4D chess while Madrid’s still stuck on tic-tac-toe. €48M? That’s not a price - that’s a statement. A declaration that Portugal’s pride still matters in a world where Spanish oligarchs think they own the game. Carreras isn’t a player - he’s a symbol. And symbols don’t come cheap.
Sara Lohmaier June 22, 2025 AT 19:45
Real Madrid has no right to even consider such a bid. Benfica represents the soul of European football, not some corporate franchise. The €50 million release clause exists to protect our legacy. Any attempt to circumvent it is cultural imperialism disguised as sport.
Sara Lohmaier June 24, 2025 AT 03:54
You know what’s wild? Even if Madrid pays the full €50M, they’re still getting a bargain. Carreras is a left-back with the pace to push up like a winger and the discipline to track back like a veteran. He’s got the physical tools, the tactical IQ, and the mental makeup to thrive in Madrid’s system. The real issue isn’t the fee - it’s whether Benfica realizes they’re holding onto a player who’s already mentally checked out. If he’s already signed personal terms, the locker room dynamic is probably toxic. That’s a hidden cost no one’s accounting for.
Sara Lohmaier June 25, 2025 AT 20:41
I just hope Carreras stays healthy through the Club World Cup. If he gets injured before the transfer, everyone loses - Benfica loses their star, Madrid loses their target, and the fans lose the story. Sometimes the best outcomes are the ones where no one gets hurt - on or off the pitch.