Manchester United eye move for £15m Benfica star in January transfer window
Manchester United eye move for £15m Benfica star in January transfer window
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Manchester United are considering a move for Benfica star Alvaro Fernandez in the January transfer window, according to reports. United are keen to recruit a new left-back this month – and with time running out ahead of the deadline – Fernandez is now a serious option.
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The Red Devils are still negotiating with Lecce for Patrick Dorgu, but should they not be able to agree a deal, they will fully focus on Fernandez. That’s according to the Daily Mail, with Ruben Amorim’s side now weighing up whether or not to exercise their £15m buy-back clause for Fernandez.
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The clause is active until January 2026 with United sending scouts to watch Fernandez in action for Benfica against Casa Pia on Saturday. Fernandez joined Benfica from United permanently in May 2024 following a successful loan spell in the Portuguese capital.
The 21-year-old was a United player from 2020 to 2024, having moved to Old Trafford from the Real Madrid academy. He never played in United’s first-team and was instead sent out on loan to Preston North End, Granada and Benfica respectively. Fernandez could be heading back to United this month, though, if they club are unable to get a deal done for Dorgu, who plays for Italian club Lecce.
United had an offer of £16.8m plus £4.2m in add-ons rejected last week but it is believed that they may go back in with a second bid for Dorgu. Fernandez, who has been one of Benfica’s most impressive players this season, also has a €50m release clause in his current contract.
