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.

Carreras’ move to Real Madrid is set to make Manchester United a healthy sum of cash due to the sell-on clause the Red Devils possess.

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.