Manchester United look to be parting ways with yet another one of their highly talented youth prospects.
Alvaro Fernandez is on the verge of completing a loan move to Benfica, with a £8.6m option to buy in the summer.
The academy star has spent the start of the 23/24 season on loan at Granada but will be called back by the Red Devils to sell to the Portuguese side.
Fernandez will leave Old Trafford having not played a single minute for the first-team squad, which has left Manchester United fans a little furious. However – could this be a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things?
Manchester United pursuing Joao Neves
Manchester United are poised to accelerate talks to sign Benfica midfielder Joao Neves with a summer deal already in mind.
The Portuguese midfielder has been hailed as ‘complete’ and ‘very intelligent’ by his former Benfica coach Luis Castro and has been tipped for a huge future.
This is why Erik ten Hag is registering interest in the highly-rated 19-year-old early, but he won’t come cheap.
Neves currently has a release clause which stands at around €120million (£103million), meaning United would face a staggering fee to force a deal.
Nevertheless, given the undeniable talent it seems that the Portuguese defensive midfielder possesses, United should be starting to build a relationship with the club and player as soon as possible, which is why the latest January sale may be a tactical one.
Alvaro Fernandez set to be influential in Joao Neves deal
Despite the £8.6m fee for the former Real Madrid academy star looking a little cheap, if Fernandez can be used as leverage to secure a foot in the Neves deal – this could be a small price to pay.
Yes, Fernandez wasn’t given a chance at Old Trafford and the fact Benfica are sniffing around is worrying due to their ability to seek out the world’s best youngsters – however, Neves looks to be a generational talent.
The boisterous defensive midfielder emulates a young Casemiro. Aggressive, yet cultured in that holding midfield role.
Kobbie Mainoo would absolutely adore him. The pair of them in double pivot is the stuff of dreams.
If Benfica are to exercise the buy clause for Fernandez, United must take the initiative and work out a Neves deal surrounding it, that is if something isn’t already in place.
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
