Tinotenda Hove – Real Madrid are on the verge of completing the signing of Álvaro Carreras, with the Benfica left-back expected to travel to Madrid today to finalize the move.

According to sources close to the negotiations, Carreras has received official clearance from Benfica, with the Portuguese club sending a formal email authorizing the player’s travel for medical tests and final steps of the transfer.

Manchester United, who had a buy-back clause in Carreras’ contract, have officially informed all parties that they will not activate it — effectively clearing the way for Real Madrid to seal the deal.

The Spanish giants have reached an agreement with Benfica for a fee of €50 million, to be paid in installments, rather than triggering the player’s full release clause. The structure of the deal was first exclusively revealed on Thursday.

Carreras is now expected to undergo his medical in the coming hours before signing a long-term contract with the reigning European champions.