ESPN: ‘Deal could be done quickly’ – Utd now ‘seriously considering’ £40m star who’s ‘open to’ move

Stretty News

·26 gennaio 2025

ESPN: ‘Deal could be done quickly’ – Utd now ‘seriously considering’ £40m star who’s ‘open to’ move

With Luke Shaw poised to go a full year without starting a game for Manchester United, it’s safe to say a new left-back is imperative in 2025.

Ruben Amorim confirmed this week that the England international was closing in on his return to team training but was still a while away from featuring in any first-team action.

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Diogo Dalot has deputised during Shaw’s absence despite being a natural right-sided fullback, and he’s evidently struggled to adapt to the boss’ newly implemented wing-back role.

That’s why United are looking to rectify past mistakes – albeit much later than fans had hoped – by resigning ex-academy prospect Alvaro Carreras, who departed the club last summer for just £5 million without making his senior bow.

United mull over late January swoop for Carreras

Carreras has enjoyed a superb start to life in Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Indeed, Carreras spent the first half of the 2023/2024 term on loan with Granada before being recalled in January and sent to Benfica, who would’ve had to activate his buy clause had he started 50 per cent of the side’s remaining fixtures. The youngster didn’t fulfil such requirements, but the club opted to sign him on a permanent deal anyway.

From there, he began to flourish, having been finally granted the opportunity to showcase his abilities while making United rue their decision. When Carreras enjoyed a scintillating start to Benfica’s Champions League campaign, he was deemed a ‘monster in the making’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Such top-drawer showings have caught the eyes of a host of suitors across Europe, including Real Madrid, Liverpool and, unsurprisingly, United, who do boast the upper hand over their competitors in the race. While he is valued at around £40m by the Benfica board, the Reds have a buy-back clause worth just £16m, meaning a ‘deal could be done quickly’ – per ESPN – if INEOS chiefs ignite their pursuit in the coming days.

Man United giving serious consideration to re-signing Alvaro Fernandez as an alternative to Patrick Dorgu. Talks with Lecce for Dorgu ongoing but no guarantee it will happen. Fernandez deal could be done quickly because of their buy-back option.
– sabato 25 gennaio 2025

Rob Dawson claims United are ‘seriously considering’ an approach for Carreras, with reporter Sam C also adding that he’s ‘open to’ an Old Trafford return.