Benfica are reeling from interesting Manchester United star Erik ten Hag and it has been revealed how much the Red Devils could get as part of a deal that would ease their pressure on Financial Fair Play.
Man Utd would have very little room for manoeuvre when it comes to FFP this month. As such, the types of deals being touted lately, such as RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner or Bayern Munich’s Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, would be the loan route. .
High-profile arrivals on a permanent basis can be viable if significant fees are collected from player sales.
However, with the news of Raphael Varane’s departure and Jadon Sancho’s loan to Borussia Dortmund, lucrative sales look bleak at the moment.
But according to several reports coming out of continental Europe, Man Utd could be on the verge of receiving a practical offer for a forgotten player.
Firstly, Spanish outlet COPE reports that Benfica is in a position to make an offer for left-back Álvaro Fernández.
The 20-year-old Spaniard has lately found himself in the middle of a season-long loan spell at La Liga side Granada.
However, Fernandez was used as a team player and also played out of position at the top of the field.
Nonetheless, his limited outings in Spain have attracted the attention of Portuguese giants Benfica, who are in a position to sign Fernandez on a permanent basis. Fernandez has been named Young Player of the Year at Preston North End during an impressive loan spell in the 2022/23 season.
A move to Benfica would force Manchester United to activate their revocation clause on Fernandez’s loan to Granada. Logic would dictate that they would only do so if it is transparent that Benfica will act at that time.
In this sense, the Portuguese media O Jogo and Record insist on the idea that Benfica touch Fernández.
As relayed by Sport Witness, Benfica are ‘chasing’ the left-back who has been installed as the club’s ‘priority target’.
Benfica have spoken to Manchester United and informed them of what they are willing to pay. Fernandez is valued at around €7 million.
While obviously not a mammoth sum, the Manchester Evening News insists it would be welcomed at Old Trafford and would ease the pressure on FFP compliance.
What’s more, Fernández is out of contract at Old Trafford next summer, this month being United’s last chance to collect a fee.
There is an option to extend the player’s deal by 12 months, though like in the case of Anthony Martial, it’s not been triggered.
As such, United may be on the verge of generating practical fees for a player who has never had access to Old Trafford. In fact, despite being highly sought after when he retired from Real Madrid’s academy in 2020, Fernandez has yet to make his debut. senior debut at United.
There has been speculation that Fernandez has a chance to shine earlier in the season when Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia suffered injuries.
However, Ten Hag opted to sign Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham. The Argentine has since returned to Spurs after United activated his release clause in the deal.
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