Real Madrid have agreed personal terms with a former Manchester United star and now intend to table a bid after an important final on Sunday.

Real Madrid have wasted no time addressing what they believe to be the biggest issue that hamstrung their season. Xabi Alonso will take the reins from Carlo Ancelotti and the Spaniard will be working with an almost completely new defence next season.

Defensive issues and injuries plagued Los Blancos this term, but in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, two of the back four will be changed.

A left-back is also wanted and Real Madrid hope to have the new face in situ and available to feature in the revamped Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14.

Links to Milos Kerkez have come and gone, with the Hungarian now on course to join Liverpool. Instead, Real Madrid have accelerated their attempts to sign former Man Utd defender, Alvaro Carreras.

United sold Carreras to Benfica in a deal worth an initial €6m last summer. After dazzling in Portugal, the Spaniard now wishes to return to his home country of Spain and will get that chance through Real Madrid.

Taking to X, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed Real Madrid have agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old. Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger also confirmed an agreement with the player is in place.

Real Madrid now intend to launch their first bid for Carreras after Sunday’s Taca de Portugal final between Benfica and Sporting CP.

The LaLiga giants can take Benfica out of the equation by triggering Carreras’ release clause, believed to be worth around €50m.

However, Berger insisted Real’s plan is to negotiate a lower transfer fee and the fact they’ve already agreed personal terms with the player gives them an edge in negotiations.

Man Utd to benefit from Alvaro Carreras transfer
Man Utd considered re-signing Carreras when searching for a new left-back in January. A buy-back clause worth just £15m is present in the deal, though United opted to sign Patrick Dorgu instead.

Fast forward to the present day and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed United still have no plans to bring Carreras back to Old Trafford.

Many Man Utd fans may be left wondering why their club don’t wish to sign a player Real Madrid want, especially given the reduced sum United can strike a deal for.

But with Dorgu and Luke Shaw in situ and funds tighter than usual in Manchester, the club see no sense in adding another left-back/left wing-back to their ranks when other positions are crying out for improvement.

Nonetheless, Man Utd are still in line to benefit from a Carreras transfer by way of a sell-on clause.

How big of a percentage Man Utd will be due isn’t yet clear, though the presence of the clause has been verified and United will hope Benfica drive a hard bargain in negotiations with Real Madrid.

Latest Man Utd & Real Madrid news – Amorim vs Wilcox / ANOTHER raid on Liverpool
In other news, Ruben Amorim and Jason Wilcox are at odds over which striker Man Utd should sign.

And unfortunately for the manager, it appears the technical director will get his way.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid could complete a total overhaul of their defence by signing a FOURTH defender.

Alexander-Arnold has already been banked and Liverpool teammate, Ibrahima Konate – who only has one year remaining on his contract – is now in Los Blancos’ sights.

And factoring in his dwindling contract, Real Madrid are reportedly ready to test Liverpool’s resolve with a bargain basement bid.

Teamtalk.com

AFC Bournemouth can confirm that defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, with the Spanish side having activated a £50 million release clause.

The centre-back, who joined the Cherries from Juventus last summer, has been instrumental in the club’s record-breaking campaign, which has seen Andoni Iraola’s side already break their highest points tally in the Premier League.

Huijsen has made 30 appearances in the top flight this season, scoring goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal.

The 20-year-old also earned his first caps for the Spanish national team in March, following a string of impressive performances for the Cherries.

Everyone at AFC Bournemouth is looking forward to working with Dean for the remaining two games of the Premier League season, before he embarks on the next step of his career.

Afcb.co.uk

Robin Koch could be on the move again this summer – just 12 months after leaving Leeds United on a permanent basis. The Germany international has been instrumental in Eintracht Frankfurt’s success this term.

Frankfurt are currently third in the Bundesliga heading into the final weekend of the campaign, with Koch having only missed four of their league matches. He has also chipped in with three goals from his 29 appearances.

His consistent performances at the back have not gone unnoticed in his homeland. Bayer 04 Leverkusen have reportedly entered the race to sign Koch this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg. Koch is said to have a €18–20 million release clause in his deal and Plettenberg states talks have “already taken place” over a potential move.

Plettenberg adds a “final decision is still pending”, with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also said to be interested in adding Koch to their ranks. In a post published on his X account, Plettenberg wrote: “Eintracht Frankfurt want to keep him and are pushing for a contract extension. It’s an open race. No commitments have been made to any club so far.”

Koch was among a raft of players who left Elland Road following the Whites’ relegation to the Championship in 2023. After impressing on a season-long loan at Frankfurt, he was snapped up by the German outfit on a permanent basis last summer. Koch still has two years left to run on his current contract.

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