Real Madrid faces a major crisis in finalizing the deal of the season despite having reached an agreement with the player!

After a disappointing and trophyless season, alarm bells began ringing at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid failed to clinch any domestic or European titles, a situation deemed unacceptable for a club of its stature. The fallout was swift and direct, with club president Florentino Pérez deciding to part ways with veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian tactician, despite his past glories, had overseen a campaign marked by inconsistency, defensive frailties, and a lack of tactical adaptability.

In response to the growing discontent among fans and the board’s demand for results, Pérez turned to a familiar face—Xabi Alonso. The former Real Madrid midfielder, who had impressed with his managerial stint at Bayer Leverkusen, was officially appointed as head coach. The decision was met with cautious optimism. While Alonso is relatively new in the coaching world, his deep understanding of Madrid’s DNA and his tactical vision offered a glimmer of hope for a fresh, ambitious rebuild.

Alonso’s appointment signals the beginning of a new era—one that prioritizes youth, dynamism, and a long-term footballing philosophy. His early comments emphasized discipline, pressing, and possession-based play, hinting at a tactical revolution reminiscent of Real Madrid’s most dominant periods. But to realize this vision, reinforcements are necessary—particularly in defense.

One of the most urgent priorities for Alonso is to fix the leaky defense. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the backline throughout the previous season. The left-back position, in particular, was a major weak point, with neither Ferland Mendy nor Fran García delivering the performances expected at this elite level. As such, Alonso identified Álvaro Carreras, the emerging talent from Benfica, as a top target.

Carreras, who rose through Manchester United’s youth academy before finding his stride in Portugal, has had a breakout season. Known for his pace, composure, and attacking contributions from deep, the 21-year-old has drawn comparisons to Marcelo in his prime. His arrival would add both quality and depth to Real Madrid’s defensive unit—a vital component of Alonso’s tactical revamp.

However, despite the club’s early optimism, the transfer has hit a major roadblock. According to renowned journalist Ramón Sánchez, negotiations between Real Madrid and Benfica have reached an impasse. While Madrid has already agreed personal terms with the player and secured his full commitment to the project, the Portuguese club is standing firm on Carreras’ €50 million release clause.

Madrid, however, is reluctant to meet the full price. Sources within the club reveal that Pérez has set a valuation closer to €35 million, arguing that while Carreras is promising, he has yet to prove himself consistently at the Champions League level. Benfica, on the other hand, is under no pressure to sell and insists that Carreras’ clause must be paid in full or the player stays.

This stalemate has placed Real Madrid in a precarious position. With other clubs monitoring Carreras’ situation—most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich—there’s growing concern that delaying the deal any further could cost Madrid their man. The club had hoped to finalize the deal early in the transfer window to give Alonso the full squad during pre-season training.

Carreras himself is said to be keen on the move. Close sources claim he has already informed Benfica of his desire to join Real Madrid and work under Xabi Alonso. The Spanish defender sees the move as a natural progression in his career and has even begun informal preparations for relocating to Madrid.

Yet despite the player’s enthusiasm, the financial disagreement between the two clubs is becoming increasingly problematic. Some insiders believe Pérez may need to intervene personally to unlock the situation, especially with Alonso pressing for swift action before other targets slip away.

This transfer saga underscores the larger challenges facing Real Madrid in this summer window. With multiple areas of the squad requiring upgrades—from a backup striker to central midfield depth—each euro spent must be carefully considered. Pérez, while known for big-money signings, has become more fiscally cautious in recent years, favoring sustainable deals over Galáctico splurges.

Fans, meanwhile, are growing impatient. The excitement surrounding Alonso’s appointment has sparked expectations of immediate change and marquee signings. Failing to land Carreras after reaching a personal agreement would be seen as a bad omen and a continuation of the indecisive strategy that led to last season’s downfall.

The coming days are expected to be decisive. Real Madrid’s board is reportedly divided, with some directors urging Pérez to meet Benfica’s demand, while others advocate walking away and pursuing cheaper alternatives like Girona’s Miguel Gutiérrez or Valencia’s Jesús Vázquez.

Alonso, though, remains firm in his preference. Carreras fits his tactical model perfectly, combining defensive solidity with offensive flair—traits essential to his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Missing out on him would force the coach to rethink his tactical setup for the coming campaign.

For now, the situation hangs in the balance. The player wants the move. The manager demands the signing. The club, however, is still hesitating over the price. Whether Real Madrid breaks the deadlock and secures Carreras—or lets another promising target slip through their fingers—will reveal much about the club’s new direction under Xabi Alonso.

One thing is certain: a deal that was supposed to be straightforward is now turning into a test of Real Madrid’s negotiation prowess and financial flexibility. And with pre-season looming, the pressure is mounting by the hour.