Álvaro Carreras, the highly-rated Spanish full-back, was notably absent from Benfica`s training ground at Seixal on Monday for the commencement of the new season`s preparations. This absence, far from being an oversight, signals the impending conclusion of a significant transfer saga.
According to widespread reports in the sports press, including details from the Portuguese daily `A Bola`, Carreras is on the verge of completing a move back to his former club, Real Madrid. The official announcement regarding the transfer is anticipated to materialize as early as today, Monday.
Sources indicate that Benfica and the Spanish giants reached an agreement on the terms of the transfer late last week. The logistical next steps involve Carreras traveling to the Spanish capital in short order to undergo the customary medical evaluations and formally sign his contract with Los Blancos. For Carreras, this represents a return to familiar surroundings, having previously spent time developing his skills within Real Madrid`s esteemed youth academy setup.
The financial specifics of the deal, as reported by the sports media, place the transfer fee at a substantial €50 million. This figure is precisely aligned with the value of Carreras`s release clause, simplifying one aspect of the negotiation, perhaps.
Adding a layer of intrigue to the transaction, `A Bola` highlights a specific condition reportedly insisted upon by Benfica during the negotiations. The Lisbon club is said to have stipulated that they would not be liable for the 10% commission fee traditionally paid to the player`s agent, Ginés Carvajal, as part of the transfer. A rather direct approach to managing transaction costs, suggesting Benfica was keen to ensure the full €50 million arrived in their coffers without further encumbrance. One might muse on the complexities, and sometimes creative accounting, in football transfers, but on this point, Benfica appears to have drawn a clear line.
With the player physically separated from his current squad`s activities and an agreement purportedly in place, the formal confirmation of Álvaro Carreras`s transfer back to Real Madrid appears to be a mere formality, pending the completion of final administrative and medical procedures.
