Real Madrid step up controversial transfer plan involving Manchester United

Real Madrid are keen on a move for the Benfica left back Alvaro Carreras but could still have a significant say over whether a deal is completed, according to reports.

United sold Carreras to Benfica last year for just £5m and had previously been linked with re-signing the defender after he became a star man for the Portuguese giants.

But now Real, who are set to welcome in Xabi Alonso as their new head coach next month following confirmation that Carlo Ancelotti will depart when concludes next week, are keen on a deal in addition to bringing in as a free agent when his contract expires.

Benfica will allow Carreras to leave for a fee of €50m but Spanish outlet Marca have suggested that Real are weighing up whether to liaise with United in very strange circumstances.

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That is because United had a buy-back clause of £15m added into the deal that saw Carreras leave for Lisbon but they turned down that option in January.

says Real are wondering if United could activate that clause before then offering the giants a fee midway between that and Benfica’s asking price to buy him.

United continue to trim costs under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has overseen two rounds of redundancies along with trimming the squad's wage bill. Several big name players are set to depart this summer, including , who is on loan at .

Ruben Amorim faces a decisive final against Hotspur in Bilbao next Wednesday with the prize of a spot in next season’s on offer.

That will have huge financial implications for the club because a season in Europe’s top competition can be worth in excess of £100m depending on a team’s progress.

And while United players will be given pay rises if they compete in the Champions League, there are other considerations such as the reduction in sponsorship payments should they miss out.

Carrera came through at the academy of Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna before signing a four-year deal at United. However he did not make a first-team appearance before heading to Benfica, where he has quickly established himself as one of the best left backs in Europe.

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