Real Madrid have been one of the most active clubs in this summer transfer window. They have brought in new manager in Xabi Alonso to start a new era in Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos have also made some solid signings to strengthen their backline. 

They have signed Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer after his contract ran out with Liverpool. At the same time, they also won the race for Bournemouth's Spanish centre-back Dean Huijsen. 

Defence was a key area for Real Madrid that needed improvement, and these two signings will surely address some of those issues. However, they still want to improve their left-back situation and former Real Madrid Castilla defender Alvaro Carreras has been identified as their primary solution. 

Los Blancos have been closely monitoring the young Spaniard as Alonso believe that Carreras could well be a huge upgrade over Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia. Carreras is defensively solid and is known for winning duels in tight spaces. 

As much as Real Madrid wanted the 21-year-old's deal wrapped up ahead of the Club World Cup, they failed to agree terms with Benfica. Los Blancos have reached an agreement with the player and promised him that they will return for him once the Club World Cup is over. 

Recently, Benfica president Rui Costa broke his silence about the Alvaro Carreras' move to Real Madrid. He didn't mince his words when he said Benfica haven't had an agreement with Real Madrid for the left-back or on any of their players. 

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"We have not reached an agreement with Real Madrid. Carreras plays the Club World Cup with us and is a Benfica player. We'll see what happens with the whole market, not just Álvaro. He is focused on playing in the Club World Cup with Benfica," said Rui Costa, who acknowledged that "there were proposals that did not convince us. Not for Álvaro or for any other player," Costa told Mundo Deportivo.

What would Carreras bring to Real Madrid?

Carreras during his youth career bounced around clubs like Racing de Ferrol, Deportivo la Coruna, Real Madrid before joining Manchester United. He featured for their U-23 team and was a standout player but despite that he never broke into the senior team and was loaned out a couple of times before he ended up at Benfica.

In Portugal, he has developed into a defensive beast on the left flank as it is the first time in his young career, he got stability and settled into a role for a long-term. He is fast, physically imposing and great duels and can cover up space really well. He is also comfortable with the ball and can play penetrative passes from the left. 

Considering Alonso's temptation of playing three defender formation, Carreras could be a great player at left-back with his defensive capability. He can also drop deep and add more cover to the centre-backs. 

While Carreras has been named in Benfica's Club World Cup squad, as per reports, Real Madrid have assured the 21-year-old that they will return for him later in the transfer window. 

For now, Benfica will start their Club World Cup campaign against Boca Juniors on June 17 while Real Madrid will kickstart their tournament against Al-Hilal on June 19. 

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