From Portugal: Clause prevents Man Utd from selling 22-year-old star to Real Madrid on return

Manchester United can’t sell Alvaro Carreras to Real Madrid this summer if they trigger the buy-back clause in his Benfica contract, according to Record (page 8).

The 22-year-old joined Benfica on an initial loan from United in January last year. The Portuguese giants purchased him last summer by activating a £5 million buy clause.

As part of the deal, the Red Devils have an option to repurchase Carreras for £17m, but there is a clause that prevents the club from instantly selling him, as per Record.

Real Madrid have started negotiations with Carreras over an early summer deal. The club are prepared to hand him an annual salary of £7.6m. The left-back is keen on a reunion, having previously spent time in the club’s academy.

Madrid don’t want to pay his £42m release clause at Benfica. AS in Spain recently claimed that Los Blancos could sign him for £25-29.4m after United repurchase the defender.

However, that possibility has been ruled out due to a clause agreed with Benfica. The Red Devils can’t benefit from an immediate sale of Carreras in the same transfer window.

United set to miss out on quick profit on Carreras

The Spaniard was regarded as one of the best talents in United’s academy, but he did not make his breakthrough under former manager Erik ten Hag.

Despite the injury woes to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia last year, United loaned him out to Benfica, who realised his potential and signed him permanently.

In our view, it appears unlikely that United will re-sign Carreras to integrate him into the squad.

The club had the chance to trigger the clause during the winter transfer window but decided to land Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu to bolster the left wing-back department.

This has probably closed the door on his comeback. With Luke Shaw, Harry Amass and Dorgu, United have the left wing-back position well covered for next season.

United could still benefit from Carreras this summer. If Benfica lower their demands for the left-back to around £35m, Madrid could be tempted to secure his services.

In that way, the Red Devils will secure a good sum due to the sell-on clause present.

Any future fee received from Carreras’ exit from Benfica will help United stay within the Profit and Sustainability Rules with reduced losses for the financial year.

Article written by Sri Aswin .