Real Madrid have closed deals for their second and third summer signings, after a deal for Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen was confirmed earlier this month. The two new deals will bring the club’s total sums above 100 million euros before June.
Trent Alexander-Arnold in place
The other signing will be Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The transfer has been well documented, and the 26-year-old agreed on terms with Los Blancos some time ago. According to Cadena Cope, a deal has been struck with Liverpool that will allow him to join before the Club World Cup, meaning the transfer is likely to be announced next week. Previous reports have estimated that the transfer fee to Liverpool will be around €5 million.
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Álvaro Carreras deal ready
The third deal Real Madrid have secured is for Benfica left-back Álvaro Carreras. The 22-year-old, just like Alexander-Arnold, will sign a five-year contract with Real Madrid, and return to the club he spent time at as a youth player. Negotiations between the clubs started this week after Benfica’s season ended, and the personal terms between Carreras and Real Madrid have already been clarified.
Los Blancos are ready to pay Carreras’ €50 million buyout clause, although it is believed that they may have agreed to pay Benfica in instalments rather than lump sums. Originally, Real Madrid had started negotiations around 40 million euros.
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Xabi Alonso gets reinforcements for Club World Cup
Both players are expected to be available for the Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso, giving him defensive reinforcements to a team that has struggled defensively all season.
Now Real Madrid will turn their attention to signing a midfielder, after there have been no signings in that position since the arrival of Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler, who have played further up the pitch. However, the departures of Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos mean that Dani Ceballos will stay.
Conclusion:
With these signings, Real Madrid show that they are acting quickly and purposefully to strengthen the team for next season. Alexander-Arnold and Carreras will bring new dynamism to the defence, and all eyes will now be on who will be the club’s next midfield signing.
