Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Benfica star Enzo Fernandez.
The young midfielder has been starring at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is catching the attention of several elite European clubs. He scored a fantastic goal for Argentina in their 2-0 win over Mexico on Saturday, keeping La Albiceleste alive in the showpiece event.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola (h/t The Daily Mirror), Manchester United would need to splash Enzo Fernandez’s £103m release clause to bring him into the Premier League. He arrived at Benfica from River Plate for £10m, signing a five-year contract in the summer, and the Portuguese club are not willing to let their star midfielder leave for less than his release clause, the report adds.
Fernandez, 21, has hit the ground running with Benfica, scoring three goals and supplying five assists on top of that so far this season. The Argentina international has impressed at the showpiece event in Qatar this month, building on his excellent displays in the Champions League and Liga NOS for Benfica.
Enzo Fernandez to Man United—Should Ten Hag make a move?
Manchester United released midfielders such as Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata at the end of last season before Erik ten Hag’s arrival at the club. To replace the midfield quartet, the Red Devils signed Christian Eriksen on a free transfer from Brentford whilst acquiring the services of Casemiro in a £70m deal from Real Madrid in the past summer transfer window.
Eriksen has formed a strong partnership with Casemiro at the base of Man United’s midfield, with the duo offering protection to the backline and creating a good number of chances for the forwards in every game. However, both Eriksen and Casemiro are in their 30s, and with Fred’s contract expiring at the end of the season and Donny Van de Beek failing to cut the mustard in the Premier League, Ten Hag is seemingly planning for the future.
The Red Devils have been linked with Enzo Fernandez since the summer, and the player’s solid performances at the World Cup have seen their interest intensify. A central midfielder by trade, Fernandez is renowned for his all-round ability, with his passing, ball-winning and tackling key attributes. The 21-year-old has operated in both the defensive and central midfield positions and has been one of Benfica’s standout performers this term.
Man United could have landed the five-cap Argentina international for a paltry fee in the summer transfer window, but they decided to splash the cash on Casemiro. Thus, it seems unlikely the Red Devils will spend the cash that Benfica are demanding for Fernandez in the January transfer window.
It is more realistic that Ten Hag’s club continue to monitor Fernandez’s development and consider tabling a bid in the summer of 2023.
