Football Transfer News: Manchester United’s young left-back Alvaro Fernandez has signed a five-year contract with Portuguese club Benfica, confirming a significant move this transfer window.
The move follows a successful loan spell at Lisbon, where Fernandez, also known as Alvaro Carreras in Portugal, pleased the coaching staff and earned a permanent contract.
Alvaro Fernandez Secures Long-Term Deal with Benfica
Fernandez initially joined Benfica on a short-term contract during the January transfer window. Following a slow start, the 20-year-old Spain under-21 international proved his talent and resilience, convincing Benfica coach Roger Schmidt of his potential.
His performances in the latter half of the season were enough for Benfica to activate the option-to-buy clause included in his loan agreement.
The deal, finalized today, sees Manchester United receiving a fee in the region of €6 million.
Notably, United have included a buy-back option in the contract, allowing them to bring Fernandez back to Old Trafford if he continues to develop and excel.
Additionally, should Fernandez make a big move from Benfica in the future, United stand to gain financially from a sizeable sell-on clause.
The transfer marks a strategic move for both clubs. For Benfica, securing a young, promising full-back like Fernandez fits their model of developing talent and potentially selling at a profit.
For Manchester United, the sale helps in their quest to streamline the squad and generate funds for new signings, aligning with the ambitions set by new decision-makers and the prospective Ineos-backed ownership.
Speaking about Fernandez’s potential, former Granada coach Paco Lopez, who worked with him during the first half of the 2023/24 season, expressed confidence in his abilities.
“Alvaro is mentally strong and adapts well even when not getting many minutes.
He has technical quality, links well with teammates, and possesses a good pass,” Lopez noted.
“While he needs to improve some defensive aspects, with work and dedication, he can become a great player.”
This move also underscores Manchester United’s strategy to offload several players this summer as they aim to restructure their squad.
The departure of seasoned players like Raphael Varane, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen has already been confirmed, with others like Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, and Donny van de Beek potentially following suit.
This exodus reflects the club’s intention to balance the squad and create room for new, impactful signings.
For Fernandez, this transfer presents an exciting opportunity to establish himself at a club known for nurturing young talent. His journey from a promising youth prospect at United to a key player at Benfica will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Benfica’s faith in Fernandez’s abilities and his potential to grow into a top-tier left-back make this a win-win scenario for all parties involved.
As Fernandez embarks on this new chapter, Manchester United fans will keep an eye on his progress, hopeful that his development will either warrant a future return or contribute positively to United’s financial strategy through future transfers.
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