Real Madrid’s €100M Reinforcement Plan: Three Signings in One Week as Club Gears Up for Club World Cup

The countdown to the 2025 Club World Cup has officially begun, and Real Madrid—true to its identity as the world's most ambitious club—is preparing to make a thunderous entrance. With just one month remaining before kickoff, Los Blancos are racing against the clock, not just to finalize their squad, but to upgrade it significantly. The plan? Sign three new players in one fell swoop, for a combined outlay of over €100 million.

According to multiple top-tier sources, including Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid has already locked in a deal for 20-year-old center-back Illia Zabarnyi (also known as "Huaisen" in some phonetic renderings), while also aggressively negotiating for Álvaro Carreras, a dynamic left-back currently playing for Benfica. Add to that the almost-certain arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Madrid’s recruitment drive begins to resemble a strategic masterstroke more than a shopping spree.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: A Matter of “When,” Not “If”

Let’s start with the most obvious: Trent Alexander-Arnold is coming to the Bernabéu.

The Liverpool vice-captain has already made his intentions public—his time at Anfield is over this summer. His next stop? Everyone knows. It’s Real Madrid.

The only hurdle left is financial. Madrid is hoping to secure his services one month ahead of the expiration of his Liverpool contract, a move that would require paying a €2 million compensation fee. The player has already reached an agreement with Madrid, and both clubs are expected to finalize details in the coming days.

Alexander-Arnold’s arrival adds an entirely new dimension to Madrid’s right side. At just 25, he’s still entering his prime and brings elite-level playmaking from deep positions. With his switch to midfield becoming more permanent, Carlo Ancelotti—or more accurately, his successor Xabi Alonso—will have a chess piece few clubs can match.

Illia Zabarnyi (Huaisen): Defensive Anchor for the Future

While Trent’s transfer is glamorous, the signing of Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth might be even more important for Real Madrid’s long-term stability.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed on May 15 that Madrid and Bournemouth have reached a full agreement for the transfer of the Ukrainian center-back. The deal is structured around a €58 million release clause, which Real will pay in three installments, with the final payment due in December 2027. Zabarnyi has already received the contract from Madrid, and while final terms are still being ironed out, the player has publicly “liked” Romano’s post—a subtle but clear signal that he’s ready.

Once the paperwork is finalized, Madrid plans to announce the deal next week, with Zabarnyi expected to sign a contract until 2030.

Madrid sees the 20-year-old as a foundational piece—a player who can offer defensive cover now, but grow into the role of a long-term starter alongside Éder Militão. Zabarnyi is tall, composed, and technically polished, often compared to a young Raphael Varane for his calmness under pressure.

With the Club World Cup just weeks away, Real Madrid wants Zabarnyi to integrate immediately into the team.

Álvaro Carreras: The A-List Left-Back Target

The third piece of the puzzle is Álvaro Carreras, a Spanish left-back who currently plays for Benfica. Carreras, just 22, was signed from Manchester United last summer for €6 million, but his breakout season in Portugal has now attracted the full attention of Madrid’s recruitment department.

Carreras is Madrid’s top target to bolster the left side, and negotiations are now underway. However, it’s a tricky transfer.

Benfica insists on Carreras' €50 million release clause, but Madrid hopes to drive that price down. If the Portuguese giants hold firm, Los Blancos have two alternate options on standby:

• Plan B: Milos Kerkez, a 21-year-old Hungarian left-back currently at Bournemouth, who carries an estimated value of €35 million.

• Plan C: Theo Hernández, the former Madrid man now at AC Milan. Theo has expressed interest in returning to Madrid, but the club’s enthusiasm is lukewarm. They see him more as a fallback option than a serious target.

One layer of complication: Manchester United holds a buyback clause allowing them to re-sign Carreras for just €18 million before December 31, but the player has no interest in returning to Old Trafford.

Madrid is determined to complete this transfer quickly, ideally by next week, so that Carreras can join the squad’s pre-Club World Cup training sessions. If negotiations with Benfica collapse, expect Madrid to move swiftly for Kerkez.

Strategic Spending: Three Players, €100M+

Real Madrid’s ambition is clear—and expensive. Should they succeed in signing all three targets, the financial breakdown looks something like this:

• Trent Alexander-Arnold: ~€2 million compensation

• Illia Zabarnyi: €58 million (structured)

• Álvaro Carreras: Target price between €35-50 million

At the high end, this would represent a €110 million investment, likely their most aggressive early-summer spending spree in recent memory. But for Madrid, the timing matters.

Carlo Ancelotti is set to depart on May 26, with Xabi Alonso stepping in almost immediately. With the Club World Cup kicking off in mid-June, the club is operating on a compressed timeline to equip the incoming coach with a fully functional squad.

The incoming trio would solve several long-standing squad issues: cover at right-back, reinforcement at left-back, and central defensive depth. More importantly, it allows Madrid to rotate key veterans like Carvajal and Nacho, while developing young stars like Zabarnyi and Carreras into first-team regulars.

Commentary: Madrid Isn’t Rebuilding—They’re Reloading

In typical fashion, Real Madrid isn't waiting for the summer market to heat up. They’ve made their moves early, and they’re surgical, not sentimental.

The decision to replace aging veterans and reinforce weak links before a major tournament like the Club World Cup shows one thing: Madrid is hunting trophies—not just the Champions League or La Liga, but every title on the calendar. And they know the path to silverware is paved with smart, bold investment.

This isn't just a spending spree. This is Florentino Pérez's vision at work—layered, logical, and ruthless.

By signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid adds elite distribution and tactical versatility. With Zabarnyi, they secure their backline for the next decade. And with Carreras, they solve one of the few positional question marks on the team.

These are not moves of a team playing catch-up. These are the actions of a club that intends to stay ahead of the world.

Real Madrid doesn’t rebuild. They reload.