Manchester United plan talks for ‘brilliant’ Patrick Dorgu alternative amid Saturday scouting mission

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Manchester United are still chasing Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu but need to have alternative left wing back targets in mind.

There is just over a week of the January transfer window to go and Manchester United may have some business to complete.

Ruben Amorim would no doubt love a number of signings but United will need to wheel and deal.

Antony’s move to Real Betis has been confirmed whilst Chelsea continue to chase Alejandro Garnacho.

If United do offload more players, Amorim will want additions – and a left wing back appears to be a top focus.

United are in talks to sign Patrick Dorgu but tough talks with Lecce mean that United have other options in the market.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

Manchester United scout familiar left wing back

January is a difficult month and convincing clubs to sell is tough – as United have found with Lecce and Dorgu.

United may need to consider other options and Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez – who also goes by Alvaro Carreras – represents a potentially easier deal.

Fernandez left United for Benfica on a permanent basis over the summer after a successful loan spell.

United included a buy-back clause in Fernandez’s exit though and can bring him back to Old Trafford for around £16.7million.

ESPN now report that United are considering activating that clause and bringing Fernandez back just months after selling him.

It’s suggested that United scouts were in attendance to watch Fernandez as he lined up for Benfica against Casa Pia on Saturday night.

United allegedly want talks with Benfica over a potential deal, though Fernandez and Benfica fell to a shock 3-1 defeat against Casa Pia.

Dorgu remains the top target but Fernandez is now a name to keep very close tabs on ahead of a possible return.

• READ MORE: Ex-Man Utd talent Alvaro Fernandez catches the eye despite Benfica’s Champions League collapse, Barcelona stance emerges

Manchester United may take Joshua Zirkzee inspiration for Alvaro Fernandez

United are busy negotiating with Lecce for Dorgu, no doubt trying to put together a package which includes staggered payments.

The problem with the Fernandez deal is that, whilst the overall fee is much lower than Lecce’s demands for Dorgu, release clauses tend to be paid in one lump sum.

United were able to manoeuvre around that situation with Joshua Zirkzee over the summer and may need to take some inspiration from that deal.

United agreed to pay Bologna a higher overall fee than Zirkzee’s release clause, but spread the payments out.

That kind of approach may be wise with Benfica in an attempt to bring Fernandez back without paying that fee up front.

Fernandez will certainly be appealing to United having previously played as a wing back during a loan spell at Preston North End.

PNE striker Emil Riis praised Fernandez as a ‘brilliant player’ during their time together and Amorim is surely aware of his development over in Portugal, making him a potential United signing this month.