Xabi Alonso decides the final Real Madrid signing he wants to complete his squad and it impacts Man Utd

Xabi Alonso has reportedly decided on which other player he wants to add to his Real Madrid squad this summer, having already welcomed Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono to the club.

Alonso, 43, has so far coached his Real Madrid side to three wins and one draw in his first four games in charge at the Club World Cup, with a recent 1-0 win over Juventus setting up a quarter-final clash with Borussia Dortmund at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday.

And new signings Alexander-Arnold, 26, and Huijsen, 20, have so far both been called upon four times by Alonso, while Mastantuono, 17, played for River Plate at the tournament and will join Los Blancos on August 14 when he turns 18.

But Real’s summer dealings in the transfer window are not done quite yet.

Real Madrid have reached the last eight of the Club World Cup (Credit:Getty)

According to journalist Jorge Picon, the club could still be set to sign Spanish Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras.

Picon wrote on X: “Real Madrid is not closing the door on the market, but they are not working on any further moves beyond that of Carreras for this summer.

“Only a departure or the emergence of an opportunity could change the script, but it is considered that the squad is sufficiently competitive.”

Back in May, the Mail reported that Real were in talks over a move for the former Manchester United left-back.

Spanish outlet Relevo even suggested that the deal has been called for by Alonso himself.

The Spaniard, who is contracted to Benfica until the summer of 2029, registered four goals and five assists during the 2024/25 season as his side finished second behind Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga.

So, how could a move to Madrid benefit Manchester United?

Alvaro Carreras in action for Benfica (Credit:Getty)

Well, in May, the Manchester Evening News reported that the Red Devils had a buy-back clause inserted into the deal when Carrera left United for £5m in May 2024.

A clause of around £15m was included, while clubs other than United may have to pay a €50m (£42.1m) release clause.

United also retain a 20% sell-on clause for Carreras on any future deal worth more than £5 million.

If the 22-year-old joined Los Blancos, he would compete with Fran Garcia, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy for a spot in Alonso’s side.