Ineos might have not been so stupid in selling Alvaro Fernandez Carreras after all.
The gifted young left wing back was sensationally snatched from Real Madrid when he was just 17 and from the outset looked destined for the top at Manchester United.
Successful loan spells at Preston North End and Granada further fuelled expectations and many fans expected him to make his first team breakthrough last season when Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were injured.
However, United manager Erik ten Hag clearly did not think he was ready and bizarrely sent Carreras out on loan to Benfica, preferring instead to bring in Spurs’ Sergio Reguilon on loan.
The Spaniard’s loan deal included a paltry €6 million buy option with €3 million in add-ons, which the Eagles exercised, signing him on a permanent deal until 2029 with a €50 million release clause.
Since then, and particularly so far this season, Carreras has been outstanding for the Lisbon side. His electric pace, incredible technique and attack-mindedness have now been tempered with better defensive discipline.
His superb performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, which Benfica won 4-0, lit the blue touchpaper for the world’s elite to start circling like buzzards. Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool have all been credited with an interest.
Meanwhile, United remain devoid of a fit and functioning left back and there has been immense criticism of the club for letting the talented youngster go when he is exactly what they are crying out for.
But a report from Portuguese outlet Record offers a ray of hope for the Red Devils. The outlet claims that United’s buy back clause is more than just a first option should Carreras be sold.
“United can buy Carreras for €20 million”, Record says.
“This was the value of the clause agreed upon the definitive acquisition of the player’s contract.”
With United reportedly keen to exercise the buy back, sceptics might say that even though this is a good price, it will still have cost Ineos between €11 and €14 million to have sold the player only in order to buy him back again 18 months later.
On the other hand, given that the likes of Real and Liverpool appear willing to shell out the €50 million release clause, United now have options. They could choose to bring him back to Old Trafford for this reasonable fee, but they could also take advantage of the sell-on percentage that is included in the deal.
Known sell-on clauses negotiated by Ineos have been around 40-50%, so it is likely that is the sort of figure agreed for Carreras.
According to The MEN, United have until 2026 to exercise the buy-back clause.
Whatever they decide to do, the young star’s continued emergence as one of the world’s best young full backs has to be good news for United, even though it is bittersweet that he is not achieving his dream at Old Trafford.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
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