Real Madrid ‘in pole position to sign £50m-rated former Man United star after Xabi Alonso requested the club to pursue the deal’

Real Madrid are in talks over a move for former Manchester United star Alvaro Carreras, according to reports.

The Spanish giants are set to land highly-rated Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen in a £50million deal and are now reportedly in pole position to sign full-back Carreras from Benfica.

According to Relevo, Real have been instructed to pursue a move for Carreras by Xabi Alonso, who is expected to be named as the club’s new manager to succeed Brazil-bound Carlo Ancelotti.

Carreras signed for Man United‘s academy in 2020 before being loaned to Benfica in 2023. The Portuguese side made the deal permanent the following year, paying £5million for the full-back.

United have a £15m buy-back clause for the 22-year-old but chose not to activate it in the January transfer window, and appear unlikely to do so in the summer.

The club have already signed a left-sided defender under Ruben Amorim – Patrick Dorgu, who arrived at Old Trafford for £29.4m from Lecce in January. 

The ex-Man United star (right) has impressed with his performances in Portugal this season

Xabi Alonso, who is expected to become Real’s new boss, has reportedly identified the defender as a priority signing

Benfica are thought to be demanding £50m for Carreras, who has scored four goals and made four assists in 42 matches for the Lisbon-based side this season. 

Reports in Spain claim Real, who are also likely to secure the services of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer, have made him a key target but are hoping to negotiate a lower price.

Another possibility is a ‘bridge’ transfer, where United would pay the buy-back clause and then sell him to Real for a higher fee.

Real have agreed to pay Huijsen’s release clause and the Spain international’s representatives flew to Madrid on Thursday to discuss terms over what is understood to be a five-year contract.

As Mail Sport reported, Madrid emerged as favourites to sign the 20-year old at the beginning of this week as they have been the Spain international’s preferred choice. 

They then discussed payment of the release clause with Bournemouth on Wednesday with the fee to be paid in three instalments.