Good news for Real Madrid in Alvaro Carreras pursuit as Benfica close in on replacement but Spanish giants are reluctant to match €50m demand for ex-Man Utd full-back

Benfica have been in talks with Roma for Samuel Dahl to fill the left-back position, a report by AS says, which could see Madrid receive the green light to sign Carreras.

The Portuguese club opted to make Dahl's deal permanent after he impressed on loan this season and have reportedly reached an agreement with Roma. Benfica will have to pay €9 million ($10m/£8m) for the 22-year-old. However, to bring Carreras to Spain, Madrid will have to pay a big price, with the Eagles standing firm on their €50m (£41m/$57m) valuation.

After negotiations hit a snag, Madrid identified Alejandro Grimaldo as a potential alternative signing. Xabi Alonso worked with the former Manchester United full-back at Bayer Leverkusen and maintains a good relationship with both the club and player since his recent switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Club World Cup kicks-off on June 10 and Los Blancos will hope to have a new left-back in position beforehand.

Alonso's ambitious project for the Spanish giants will reportedly see a bit of change in his tactics, with the coach prepared to ditch the formation he used at Leverkusen. With Trent Alexander-Arnold coming in at right-back, he will hope to see the Carreras deal wrapped up ahead of the journey to the United States.