Manchester United are considering re-signing Alvaro Carreras to solve the team’s ongoing weakness in the left wingback position as an alternative to Lecce star Patrick Dorgu, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
Dorgu, 20, has emerged as the Red Devils’ priority transfer heading into the final period of the January window after an approach to reunite Ruben Amorim with Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes appears to have been unsuccessful.
United have seen an opening bid worth in excess of £23 million rejected by Lecce for the Danish international but reports suggest the club will return with an improved offer close to £30 million.
The Italian side are believed to be holding out for £34 million for Dorgu but Old Trafford officials are willing to walk away from negotiations if their next bid is rejected.
But Romano reveals there are “no doubts” that United will sign a “new LWB” before the deadline on February 3.
🚨🔴 Manchester United will sign a new LWB, no doubts. Talks for Patrick Dorgu continue after €27m bid rejected.
Lecce insist on €40m fee as they’re aware of Napoli interest for July.
United also have more options in list including Alvaro Carreras with €18m buy back clause. pic.twitter.com/7Xc4yb4pFE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2025
Tweet: “Manchester United will sign a new LWB, no doubts. Talks for Patrick Dorgu continue after €27m bid rejected. Lecce insist on €40m fee as they’re aware of Napoli interest for July. United also have more options in list including Alvaro Carreras with €18m buy back clause.”
The Italian transfer guru suggests that while the priority remains Dorgu, former United starlet Carreras is also on the “list” of options for the wingback position should talks with Lecce falter.
The 21-year-old Spaniard was sold by the Reds in the summer to Benfica in a deal worth a potential €9 million, after Carreras spent the second half of last season on loan at the Portuguese giant.
Benfica were impressed by the fullback’s performances and chose to activate the buy clause agreed with United in the loan deal.
And it has proven an astute decision as Carreras has gone from strength to strength since the loan became a permanent deal, delivering a number of brilliant displays at left-back for his new team. In fact, the young Spanish defender has even produced a more eye-catching season than Dorgu from a statistical perspective.
… https://t.co/zJCZF2GU5I pic.twitter.com/AKXN22Jnxm
— Z (@ZAYN_Z7) January 22, 2025
Carreras’ contract at Benfica includes a £42 million release clause, though United have a reported buy-back clause worth under £16 million enabling the club to strike a bargain deal if they choose.
However, this would also rely on Carreras’ agreeing to a return to Old Trafford with the 21-year-old believed to harbour aspirations of playing for Barcelona, who he produced a brilliant display against last night in a thrilling Champions League match.
Perhaps this reticence from the Spaniard to re-join United is a reason why the club are targeting other options for the wingback position, despite Carreras’ brilliant form in Portugal.
Feature image Carlos Rodrigues via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
