Liverpool have emerged as the latest club to show interest in Benfica’s highly-rated left-back, Álvaro Carreras. Carreras, formerly known as Álvaro Fernandez during his stint in England, joined Benfica from Manchester United for £5 million last summer following a successful loan spell. At just 21 years of age, he has continued to impress this season, catching the attention of several top European clubs.
According to an initial report from *O Jogo*, clubs such as Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping a close eye on the young defender’s progress, while Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also monitoring his development. However, *AS* has recently reported that Liverpool is currently leading the race to secure Carreras’ signature. The Reds are believed to be eyeing him as a potential successor to Andy Robertson, who has been a stalwart at the left-back position but may soon require a long-term replacement.
One important aspect of this transfer saga is that Manchester United, Carreras’ former club, included a buy-back clause in the deal when they sold him to Benfica. This clause allows United to re-sign the talented defender at a potentially reduced price, which could become significant in light of their current squad situation. Manchester United are reportedly considering triggering the buy-back option due to concerns about the long-term fitness of their current left-backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Shaw has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, and Malacia, while promising, has also faced fitness issues, leaving United potentially light in the left-back position.
While the specific value of the buy-back clause is not publicly known, it is believed to be lower than the price Benfica would likely demand from other interested clubs. With Carreras under contract with Benfica until 2029, his market value is expected to increase if he continues his strong performances, especially considering the level of interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
If Liverpool’s interest materializes into a formal offer, it could set up an intriguing situation where Manchester United faces competition to re-sign a player they once let go. For now, though, Liverpool appears to be at the forefront of this race, with the club aiming to secure a long-term option at left-back, as they look to prepare for life beyond Robertson.
In summary, the race for Álvaro Carreras is heating up, with Liverpool reportedly leading the charge, but with several European giants closely following his progress and Manchester United retaining a buy-back option that could complicate any potential transfer.