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The agent of Benfica defender Alvaro Carreras has insisted there is nothing in the ongoing rumours that his client could return to Manchester United before then joining Real Madrid.
On Friday, a report from Spain claimed that Madrid were trying to work out a strange agreement with United to secure Carreras’ services for a knockdown price.
When Carreras joined Benfica from United in 2024, the Red Devils inserted a buy-back option.
United can re-sign the Spain Under-21 international for £15.3m, having sold him for £5.1m to the Portuguese giants. Madrid are believed to be eyeing Carreras, although they’re not too keen on paying the £51m that Benfica want to sanction his sale.
It was stated that Los Blancos would try to persuade United to trigger their buy-back clause and then sign the 22-year-old directly from them for around £27m – a fee that would also assist Ruben Amorim’s side in raising funds for a busy summer transfer window.
However, such an arrangement has now been dismissed by the player’s agent, Ginés Carvajal.
Carvajal told A Bola, “I don’t know where this news comes from; everything that is said in it is pure fantasy and, as such, does not deserve any comment from me.”
“Carreras is doing very well at Benfica and will continue there.”
In any case, it has been pointed out that the transfer is not feasible as it would be in violation of FIFA’s regulations.
O Jogo [via SportWitness] note that FIFA’s transfer rules block “bridge transfers” from taking place. Bridge transfers are described as “two consecutive transfers, national or international, of the same player in a period of 16 weeks.”
Madrid’s plan would undoubtedly fall under that restriction, meaning they would have to leave Carreras at Old Trafford at least until the January transfer window.
FIFA also reserves the right to impose sanctions on any parties involved in such arrangements.
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