Manchester United have already been active in the transfer market this summer, cashing in on a full-back surplus to requirements.
Left-back was the one position Manchester United lacked options in 2023/24, yet Erik ten Hag was not convinced by Alvaro Fernandez.
Fernandez was sent on loan to Spanish side Granada, before Benfica moved in January to sign him on loan for them.
At the end of last month, Benfica activated a clause to sign Fernandez on a permanent basis for a fee of £5 million.
Alvaro Fernandez release clause
Benfica view former Real Madrid academy prospect Alvaro Fernandez as an investment, tying him to a contract until 2029.
As is customary for players in Portugal, Benfica have also added a hefty release clause into Fernandez’s contract.
A Bola report Fernandez’s contract contains a release clause of 50 million Euros, working out at £42 million.
The release clause is designed to ensure Fernandez is not sold on the cheap, placing a high starting bar on future negotiations.
Fernandez tipped as future star
Alvaro Fernandez played in 16 games for Benfica during his loan spell, seven of those matches came as a starter.
But next season, Fernandez is not expected to be first choice, he will have to earn his spot in the Benfica team.
Asked about comparisons to Benfica’s former Spanish left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, his former youth coach Albert Gil toldA Bola that it will take some time.
He said: “Alvaro is very talented and is part of the group of best young people sides of Spain. Even with a different profile, I believe that he has the conditions to be Benfica’s full-back of the future, in two, three, four years he will be at that level.”