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Alvaro Fernandez had joined Benfica from Manchester United in May last year.
Alvaro Fernandez returning to Manchestger United? (X)
Premier League outfit Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez in the ongoing winter transfer window. The Red Devils are keen to add a new left-back in January. With time running out ahead of the deadline, Fernandez has emerged as a serious option for the English side. The Daily Mail has confirmed this speculation, claiming that the Ruben Amorim-coached side is now ‘weighing up’ whether or not to exercise their buy-back clause for the Spaniard. As per the report, a £15 million buy-back clause for Fernandez is active until January 2026.
The plan of buying Alvaro Fernandez is reportedly a fail-safe if Manchester United are unable to reach an agreement with Leece for Patrick Dorgu. They had initially offered £16.8 million plus another £4.2 million in add-ons for the Danish international only to be rejected. They followed up with another massive offer of £25.2 million in informal discussions but haven’t finalised the deal yet. While Dorgu remains on Manchester United’s radar, the interest in Alvaro represents good value. The Premier League giants had also sent scouts to monitor the 21-year-old’s performance on January 25 when Benfica played Casa Pia.
Alvaro Fernandez made his 18th appearance for Benfica in their 1-3 defeat to Casa Pia. The 21-year-old has also been featured in seven Champions League games this season. He joined Benfica from Manchester United in May last year. Fernandez signed a permanent deal with the Liga Portugal outfit after a successful loan spell in the Portuguese capital. The 21-year-old competed at Old Trafford between 2020 and 2024 after joining the Red Devils from Real Madrid. In the four years he spent at the English club, Fernadez enjoyed loan spells at Preston and Benfica. He never played in Manchester United’s first team during those years. The Spaniard eventually joined the Liga Portugal outfit after they activated a £5 million buy option in his loan deal last summer.
Alvaro Fernandez has a release clause of €50 million in his current contract with Benfica. Manchester United may wish to bring him back to England before any other club attempts to trigger that clause. The English club is thought to have better financial flexibility after reaching a loan agreement for Antony with Real Betis. Meanwhile, Fernandez will be focused on delivering more match-winning performances for Benfica in the 2024-25 season.
