This article was originally published on www.si.com as Alvaro Carreras: Why Real Madrid Paid €50 Million to Re-Sign a Player Who Left For Free. Five years later, Álvaro Carreras is back with Real Madrid.

Carreras has taken a winding route via Manchester United, the Championship and Benfica to get back to the Spanish capital

Real Madrid confirmed their fourth signing of the summer on Monday as they brought in Alvaro Carreras from SL Benfica.The 22-year-old arrived in a deal worth €50 million, to be paid in multiple

Real Madrid has signed Álvaro Carreras from Benfica on a six-year deal. The 22-year-old left back previously played in Madrid's youth academy from 2017-20.

But listen to the way Xabi Alonso spoke about Alex Grimaldo throughout Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible title-winning season — when he provided 10 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga from his high-flying wing-back role — and it would be fair to assume that the Spaniard was top of the class.

It was always clear that the defence would be Real Madrid’s biggest priority heading into the new season. Florentino Perez and Co., needless to say, have over-delivered on that front.After signing

Manchester United will pocket a significant bonus after Real Madrid completed the long-awaited €50 million (£42m/$57m) signing of Alvaro Carreras.

Real Madrid announced their fourth signing under Xabi Alonso, and it has been expected for some time. President Florentino Perez unveiled Benfica left-back Álva

Real Madrid announced the signing of Alvaro Carreras from SL Benfica on Monday, with the left-back returning to the club he left five years ago.The 22-year-old has signed a six-year contract with the