Why Real Madrid refuse to pay €50m Alvaro Carreras release clause to Benfica as Spanish giants aim to recreate Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono deals

Madrid want Carreras as their new left-back but have not met the €50 million (£42m/$57m) release clause in his contract. According to AS, the Spanish club offered €40m (£34m/$46m), with Benfica willing to consider €48m (£40m/$55m), but no agreement was reached. With both clubs now at the Club World Cup in Florida, Carreras remains a Benfica player for now.

Los Blancos see the 22-year-old as a long-term solution at left-back, but they're applying the same financial strategy used for Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono, staggered payments over time rather than a one-time fee. Activating the release clause would force them to pay the entire fee in one lump sum. The Spaniards' preferred approach gives them flexibility with cash flow and helps avoid unfavourable tax rates. However, Benfica know Madrid need Carreras and are using their leverage. The additional 20 per cent resale clause owed to Manchester United complicates the deal further.

Benfica president Rui Costa denied any agreement with Madrid, and said: "We haven't reached an agreement with Madrid. There were proposals that didn't convince us. Not for Alvaro or any other player."

His message from Florida was clear: Benfica are not in a hurry to sell and will not accept terms that don’t match their valuation.

Madrid will continue talks with the Portuguese side in hopes of reaching a compromise deal. Their internal plan is to finalise the transfer in July, but unless Benfica budge on the payment structure, the saga could drag on.