Manager reacts when asked if he’s signing Manchester United man in £8.6m deal

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Benfica coach Roger Schmidt is refusing to be drawn on the club’s interest in Alvaro Fernandez despite a potential £8.6 million deal for the Manchester United youngster being close to completion. 

HITC Football understands that the Spain Under 21 international is in an advanced stage of negotiations with the Portuguese giants, Manchester United set to cut short his spell at Granada before sending Alvaro Fernandez to Lisbon in a loan-to-buy deal which could eventually earn the Red Devils nearly £9 million. 

But, when breaking his silence on the 20-year-old left-back, Schmidt opted against taking the opportunity to shed some light a rapidly-developing situation 

Benfica close in on Alvaro Fernandez

“About rumours and players who could possibly arrive, I prefer not to comment,” was the German’s non-committal response, via TVI. 

Fernandez, Preston North End’s Young Player of the Year during a superb spell across Lancashire last season, had been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo by some.  

And, amongst sections of the Manchester United support, his impending departure has been the subject of much hand-wringing. Benfica, after all, tend to know what they’re doing when signing talented young players with serious potential. Do not be too surprised to see Fernandez depart the Estadio da Luz later down the line for a fee far in excess of the £8.6 million Benfica could end up paying come the summer. 

Another Manchester United exit close

“(Fernandez is a) very strong left-back, who stands out for his ability to conduct a large number of attacks at high intensity,” Dani Xelo, who coached the former Real Madrid prospect as a teenager, tells Record. 

“He is different, both in the offensive and defensive phases. He needs to play in a team who dominates, to have the ball and to be able to often reach the last third of the field. 

“A player very similar to (Bayer Leverkusen’s former Benfica star Alex) Grimaldo.”

Fernandez could be the third Man United player to leave on loan this month, after Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund and Donny van de Beek’s fresh start at Frankfurt.