Real Madrid chooses left-back for 2025-26, decision is already made

The main objective of the white sports management in this summer's transfer market is the defensive line. The injuries and departures suffered by the footballers in that area of the field have caused an impossible shortage of players that hasn't been solved to date... despite Carlo Ancelotti's constant demands.

But the demands of the Reggiolo coach, especially during the summer of 2024, would have left a mark that the white executives will take into account for the summer market of 2025.

Beyond the addition of Trent Alexander-Arnold and the constant search for a center-back to strengthen the core of the defense, Real Madrid faces doubts regarding the left-back.

Fran García's records haven't convinced the current coaching staff and the physical and competitive irregularity of Ferland Mendy suggest a generational change. The addition of a player for that position, given the failure in signing Alphonso Davies as a free agent, seems an urgent necessity this summer. There are several names for a position that, initially, wasn't considered problematic.

The first leaks about Xabi Alonso indicate that the coach from Tolosa would bet on the continuity of Fran García in the team, placing Ferland Mendy as transferable for this summer. Aside from that hypothetical change requested by the Basque coach, the offices at Valdebebas are clear that talent needs to be incorporated as soon as possible.

The chosen one is already known

The name that has dominated most debates in this regard is Theo Hernández. The footballer from AC Milan, with a contract until summer 2026, presents practically unbeatable hiring conditions. The clear disagreements between the French full-back and the rossoneri sports management have distanced the possibility of a renewal, making the request for a departure from the team effective as soon as possible.

Real Madrid could appear to make Theo Hernández's wishes come true, but the leaders led by Paolo Scaroni are determined to get the maximum economic return from that departure. The Frenchman seems the most plausible option to strengthen the left-back, but the white leaders place another defender ahead on their list of future prospects: Álvaro Carreras. The left-back from Benfica, a former Madrid youth player, has gained a lot of ground in recent weeks and according to information from the newspaper As, he would be the designated target in the merengue leadership.

The mentioned sports media recalls that Real Madrid wants to sign the Benfica defender this summer, adding another transfer to the catalog of transfers planned for the coming months. Álvaro Carreras is valued at 23 million euros according to Transfermarkt and has a contract until summer 2029, but he has a release clause valued at 50 million euros.

That would be the only way to take him from Estadio da Luz, given that this is his first season as a Benfica footballer. The Portuguese club wants to keep him beyond this summer by all possible means, a will that would contrast with the plans devised from the offices of Valdebebas for the left-back.