Primeira Liga club Benfica are expected to trigger the option to buy Manchester United left-back Alvaro Fernandez in the summer following his loan move in January, according to The Athletic.
The Spaniard moved to the Portuguese top-flight side in a temporary deal during the last winter transfer window, and an option to buy him permanently was included in the agreement.
Benfica will part with an initial £5.1 million to buy Fernandez, and an additional £2.6m will be paid if the 21-year-old reaches certain landmarks and achievements.
The former Real Madrid youth player has featured in 13 games for Benfica since joining them in January, weighing in with a goal.
Fernandez spent the first-half of 2023-24 on loan in the Spanish La Liga with Granada, playing 13 times, and he was recalled by Man United and sent on loan to Portugal for his development to continue.
While the Spain youth international has now played his last game for the Red Devils, the Old Trafford club will retain a buyback option and sell-on clause should Benfica sell him to another club.
Fernandez impressed for Man United in pre-season, but manager Erik ten Hag was not convinced that he has what it takes to play for the first-team, opting to sign Sergio Reguilon on a short-term loan from Tottenham Hotspur to provide cover for Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat for the left-back role following long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Man United’s Under-23 Player of the Year in 2021-22 spent the following season on loan at Championship club Preston North End, playing 42 times and emerging as their Young Player of the Year following an impressive campaign, but he found it difficult to break into the first-team at Man United and will now hope to make a name for himself at Benfica.
