According to The Express, Manchester United is making progress in its pursuit of World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine hero has just returned to Benfica, and super-agent Jorge Mendes is rumoured to have a bid that will trigger his release clause. Parties interested in the player are expected to step up their efforts in the coming days.
After transferring from River Plate to Benfica in the summer, Fernandez was only beginning to establish himself as a household name prior to the World Cup.
Portuguese football fans were already aware of his eye-catching potential, but when he reproduced similar performances in Qatar, large teams really sat up and took notice. Although it took some convincing, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni eventually responded to the screams of the crowd and gave the youngster his chance to impress.
The 21-year-old stepped up perfectly and was honoured as the competition’s “best young player” after a string of dominant displays, including the final match against France. Benfica is aware that they will receive significant interest in January, but they have made an effort to deter potential suitors by requesting the full amount of his £105 million release clause.
Given Fernandez’s outstanding performances on football’s grandest stage, even that may not be sufficient given rumours that Mendes has a sizable offer in hand.
Considering how much money United spent during the summer transfer window, it’s questionable if they support such a proposal.
Erik ten Hag spent a lot of money on Casemiro during the summer, but he reportedly would welcome additional midfield additions after missing out on top target Frenkie de Jong.
Although Fernandez has only played in 13 league games in European football, he would be a great coup at a major cost. Jude Bellingham, another excellent young midfielder, is considered to have taken United out of the running after Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid each made their own case for signing him in 2023.
