Man United confirm first summer sale: Fernandez leaves Old Trafford in a deal worth £7.7m | OneFootball

Manchester United have confirmed the permanent departure of Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica after the Portuguese club activated their buy clause in the left-back’s loan agreement.

Fernandez spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan with Benfica and featured 16 times.

According to the Athletic, Benfica have signed the youngster in a deal worth £7.7 million that includes £2.6m in potential add-ons.

The loan deal to the Lisbon outfit included an obligation to buy if Fernandez started at least half of the games and outlined the transfer fee to sign him.

The Red Devils released a statement on ManUtd.com: “Everyone at United would like to wish Alvaro all the best of luck in the future and will be keeping an eye on his progress.”

Fernandez was not ready for the first-team

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were unavailable in the second half of the season. Despite lacking a specialist left-back, United did not promote Fernandez into the first-team.

They recalled him from Granada in January so he could sign for Benfica on loan. United were under the impression Shaw and Malacia would regain fitness soon.

Allowing Fernandez to move to Portugal indicated that United do not think that the youngster is ready for the Premier League.

It looks like a good deal for United and the player. Fernandez will get regular game time, which he requires to develop at the age of 21.

United could bring him back in the future by activating the buy-back clause.

They would also benefit from the sell-on clause, as they did last year when Tahith Chong joined Luton Town from Birmingham City.