Sources close to Alvaro Carreras reveal the 21-year-old fullback is not “considering a move” away from Benfica in the January transfer window, despite reports linking the Spaniard with a return to Old Trafford.
Manchester United are currently on the hunt for a new left wing-back to improve the team’s ability to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes, who played under Amorim at Sporting CP, had emerged as an early front runner for the position. However, the Portuguese international looks set to sign a new deal in the French capital with United executives deeming a move too expensive.
The club quickly settled on Patrick Dorgu as an alternative – Lecce’s 20-year-old left wing-back, who has also regularly played as a right-winger this season.
Lecce’s price tag to let the defensive starlet depart in January was set at around the €40 millon mark, though officials at Old Trafford were optimistic a compromise could be struck before the February 3 deadline.
United have seen two proposals rejected by their Italian counterparts. However, the club are “confident” a new approach will prove successful in the “next 24-48 hours” with reports suggesting a deal in the region of €37 million may be be sufficient.
As relayed by The Peoples Person, Dorgu has already agreed personal terms with United and is very keen on the move to Old Trafford.
Amorim is also reported to have approved a move for the Danish international with Dorgu’s potent pairing of physicality and pace likely to be a welcome boost for the Portuguese coach.
However, a deal is not yet agreed, even if it feels close. As such, United have been considering other options in the event a compromise can not be reached with Lecce; with a return for Carreras one such option.
The club have dispatched scouts to watch the 21-year-old left-back this season with The Athletic describing Carreras as “enjoying an excellent campaign” for Benfica.
United have “made contact” with Carreras’ camp over signing the Spaniard this month with the club “weighing up triggering their buyback clause”, included in the deal which saw the defender join Benfica for €6 million last year.
Carreras spent four years at Old Trafford, having joined from Real Madrid’s youth system in 2020. He spent back-to-back seasons on loan at Preston North End, Granada and Benfica, with the Portuguese side choosing to make the move permanent in the 2024 summer window.
United’s buy-back clause means there will no protracted negotiations with Benfica to agree a deal in the way there has been with Lecce. However, while Dorgu is eminently keen to swap Italy for England, Carreras’ is not believed to be interested in a return to the Premier League this month.
The Athletic contend, “Sources close to Carreras currently say they are not considering a move in this market”, though this does leave open the possibility of a switch in the summer.
United are hellbent on making Dorgu their new left wing-back this month; which is good because their first-choice back-up to the Danish international appears content remaining where is. For now.
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.
