Man United star sold on cheap 'wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona' amid transfer clause

Alvaro Fernandez
-Credit: (Image: Benfica)


Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Alvaro Fernandez Carreras months after Manchester United sold Benfica the full-back for £5million.

Fernandez, 21, first joined the Lisbon club on loan during the January transfer window. Benfica made that move permanent at the end of last season after exercising the buy option in their deal with the Reds.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo has reported that Barca and Madrid are now monitoring Fernandez. United, however, have a buyback clause that could see the full-back return to Old Trafford in the future. The interest in Fernandez comes despite the defender not beginning this season in the Benfica team as he started their first two matches as a substitute.

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However, he has started all seven matches since replacing the injured Jan-Niklas Beste. United have also dealt with injuries at left-back this year.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are both out, with Diogo Dalot deputising for them. Noussair Mazraoui has come in at right back, but he has now undergone a minor heart procedure, potentially further depleting their depth in that position.

Fernandez did not make a single Premier League appearance for United during four years at the club. The then-teenager joined from Real Madrid in September 2020, when Barcelona, again, and Manchester City were reputedly interested in him.

After being twice named on the bench for senior matches in the final months of the 2021-22 season, Fernandez spent the following campaign on loan in the Championship at Preston North End. After playing 42 times across all competitions, a temporary return to Spain followed last term with Granada. However, that stint was cut short in January to reroute the full-back to Benfica.