Man Utd 'can earn £15m windfall' if they agree to Real Madrid transfer masterclass

could boost their summer transfer budget by up to £15million if they go into business with , according to reports. The giants have identified Alvaro Carreras as a top target, and United appear to hold the key to a deal for the Benfica left-back.

Carreras left Real for the Red Devils' academy in 2020 but didn't make his first-team debut - despite showing plenty of promise at the club and on loan at Preston North End. He joined Benfica permanently in a £5m deal in the summer of 2024 and has flourished into one of Europe's most exciting young full-backs since. Now, Real reportedly want to take him back to the Bernabeu to solve but they may need help from United, who would be in line to benefit from a deal.

According to , Benfica are set to demand £51m from Real if they want to sign Carreras directly ahead of their first season of the post-Carlo Ancelotti era.

It's claimed that the 22-year-old is Real's priority target for the left-back position, but they aren't in a position to meet the Portuguese heavyweights' initial demands.

Therefore, the report adds that Los Blancos want United to activate their £15m buy-back clause to oversee Carreras' return to Old Trafford.

They would then look to immediately seal a deal for the Spaniard worth between £25m and £30m, a significantly lower fee than Benfica's valuation.

Real reportedly consider this a beneficial outcome for themselves and United, who need to generate funds through player sales to improve Ruben Amorim's squad.

Carreras was among United's options to hand Amorim a left-wing-back for his 3-4-3 system in the January transfer window.

The Red Devils instead opted to swoop for Lecce's Patrick Dorgu, paying an initial £25m for the 20-year-old.

They would likely only sanction Carreras' return if there was a guarantee of an instant profit, with multiple other positions requiring more urgent attention.

United reportedly have the budget to bolster Amorim's attacking firepower with a new attacking midfielder and striker.

Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha has emerged as the club's top target for the former position, and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap is on the agenda to fill the latter.

United also need reinforcements in central midfield and potentially centre-back, too, given Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are strongly expected to leave as free agents.

There are also lingering question marks over Andre Onana's credentials as the club's goalkeeper after producing more ill-timed errors this season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's mission to raise cash by any means necessary suggests United would be open to shaking hands with Real on a unique agreement for Carreras.