Liverpool might need to look for another Andy Robertson replacement as Machester United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed that United management is tracking their target.
Last week it was reported that Liverpool were eyeing former Real Madrid academy left-back Álvaro Carreras. However, ten Hag told 90min that the club’s management is still following their former employee.
Real Madrid are also keen on getting their academy defender back. United on the other hand have a certain advantage over all the other clubs in the transfer market.
Before selling the wing-back to Benfica, The Red Devils made sure to include a buy-back clause. The clause also comes with a cheap price although higher than the rate they sold Carreras for.
This is still an advantage though as the Manchester-based outfit will be able to buy him back for £16 million. United sold him for around £7.5 million less than half of his buyback clause.
This is a big challenge for Liverpool as Arne Slot was asked to match his release clause to strike a deal. The Spaniard’s release clause is set at around £41.7 million, almost six times the price he was last sold for.
Erik ten Hag reveals frustration for Liverpool
Erik ten Hag revealed that Manchester United is still following Álvaro Carreras
I think the process is perfect. We loan him to Preston, he got back, then we loan him to Granada, he didn’t play so much there, and of course we, all the time, observed him and now we had the opportunity to sell him.
But we have a buy-back so we have control of the situation, I think that’s what he needed. From Preston, then go to La Liga, go to Portugal, every time stepping up to a higher club and a better league.
Now we have to see and assess the situation if he can be an option for us. But playing at Man Utd is not so easy, playing in the Premier League for Man Utd is not so easy.
You need experience, also development. You get development from playing for better clubs and in better leagues.
-Erik ten Hag via 90min
However, reports suggest that Álvaro Carreras prefers a move back to his homeland with Real Madrid. FC Barcelona are also following the wing-back’s situation but a return to his former club remains the player’s priority.
This creates big trouble for Liverpool with both the player and the release clause seemingly out of reach. The Reds will probably have to look for another Andy Robertson alternative if all else fails.
