Real Madrid are planning with Xabi Alonso for the future of the club. There are some positions they want to strengthen over the summer, and business has already started.
The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold - set to be signed and announced soon - and Dean Huijsen have already been secured by the club, and it is obvious that they are not done.
There are talks to bring back Nico Paz to the club as well, and Benfica's left-back Alvaro Carreras - who has been linked with Real Madrid for a few weeks - is on the radar, too.
In fact, he is very close to signing for Real Madrid. According to Fabrizio Romano, Carreras has already agreed personal terms with the club for a move this summer.
Real Madrid need to negotiate with Benfica for a move they desperately need
Now, they are trying to sort out the club-to-club contacts. Real Madrid, according to many reports, do not want to pay the release clause. So, they will be talking to Benfica this week to close the deal.
Real Madrid really, really need a left-back this summer. It is as clear as day. Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia have simply not been good enough for the club in the last season, and David Alaba is practically cooked as well.
This brought out a necessity to invest in a good, young full-back who can attack as well as defend. Carreras was in the picture and he fit the description like a glove.
Real Madrid need to figure out a way to close the deal before the Club World Cup starts in the middle of June.
One thing is for sure, though, Real Madrid have finally started making these smart decisions to strengthen the areas of the team they had neglected in the last couple of years, and that partly is down to Alonso pushing for them as well.
Hopefully, Los Blancos are able to close the deal soon, and welcome Carreras back to the city of Madrid.