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.
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