Official! Madrid sign Lamine Yamal's no. 1 rival for €50M: better than Fran García

Real Madrid keep making moves in this summer transfer window. Los Blancos are undergoing a deep squad overhaul, aiming to strengthen every line. Key players like Dean Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold have already arrived, while Franco Mastantuono will join after the Club World Cup.

In the opposite direction, other key figures will say goodbye after the new international competition. Luka Modric and Lucas Vázquez will end their time at Madrid after many years of success and joy. A change led by Xabi Alonso, who has arrived with force on the Bernabéu bench and intends to win every title.

The Basque coach is shaping the locker room to his liking. He hasn't just requested reinforcements by name; he has also managed to bring back those who seemed to be out of the project. The best example is Fran García, who wasn't in Carlo Ancelotti's plans, but under Xabi Alonso is showing his best version.

Fran García performs well, but it's not enough

During the Club World Cup, Fran García is proving to be a valid player for many matches. He is fast, powerful, and has good attacking ability. However, the coaching staff believe it's not enough for the biggest stages: stopping talents like Lamine Yamal requires a higher level.

That's why Madrid has already made a decision. Florentino will pay €50 million to sign Álvaro Carreras, Benfica's wing-back who has been one of the few able to stop the young talent. Álvaro Carreras and Lamine Yamal faced each other several times during the last Champions League, and the full-back came out of those duels greatly strengthened: he was his true nightmare.

Álvaro Carreras's performance against Lamine Yamal hasn't gone unnoticed. Madrid's sporting management believe he is the type of player needed to compete at the highest European level. He has experience, physicality, and character, so he is a necessary signing that is very close to happening.

Contacts between Madrid and Benfica have intensified in recent hours. According to sources close to Madrid, the agreement is practically closed and will be official as soon as the Club World Cup ends. The €50 million Madrid will pay for Álvaro Carreras will be used to sign the biggest rival Lamine Yamal has faced so far.

With this addition, Madrid once again gets ahead of the market. They add a key piece to their ambitious future project. However, it remains to be seen how Álvaro Carreras's arrival will affect Fran García, who until now has been decisive.