Manchester United have added a few million pounds to the club’s transfer budget with the first summer sale agreed.
With Raphael Varane lowering Manchester United’s wage bill after confirming his departure, more are expected to follow.
One sale has now also been agreed, with Alvaro Fernandez leaving Manchester United for Benfica.
Fernandez’s imminent sale was reported earlier in the day and now Benfica have confirmed the move will go through.
Benfica sign Alvaro Fernandez
Benfica president and former Portugal international Rui Costa has confirmed the club have activated their clause to sign Alvaro Fernandez.
Speaking to media, reported by ZeroZero, Costa said: “Alvaro is confirmed, he is another one of those talents in which we have great hope that he will have a very worthy career.”
Fernandez has signed a five-year deal with Benfica, running to 2029. The full details, which will include a release clause, will become clearer when the club officially announce it.
The left-back spent thefirst part of the season on loan with Granada in Spain, before making the switch to Benfica.
The loan included an option to buy at £5 million, which the Portuguese side have taken up.
Fernandez, 21, has played 14 games for Benfica during his loan spell, seven of which have been starts. He has contributed one goal and one assist.
Erik ten Hag did not see Fernandez playing a part
Letting Alvaro Fernandez leave on loan was a very controversial move earlier in the season, due to Manchester United’s left-back problems.
Erik ten Hag preferred to loan in Sergio Reguilon for half a season rather than give Fernandez an opportunity.
United did not decide to bring him back in January either, instead deciding to take up the offer received from Benfica with the promise of a fee at the end of it.
The club have made a profit on Fernandez,who signed from Real Madrid’s academy in 2020.
He performed very well for the academy and was unlucky not to ever make his first team debut for United.
At just 21, there is plenty of time for the Spaniard to go on and prove Manchester United wrong to sell him.