Manchester United defender set to be become first sale of summer transfer window

Manchester United are set to complete their first sale of the summer transfer window before their season has even come to an end.

Benfica have officially triggered their option to buy Alvaro Fernandez permanently for €6 million, despite the fact they he did not play enough matches for his transfer to become an obligation.

Fernandez joined Benfica on loan back in January following a spell at Granada. The deal included an obligation for the Portuguese club to buy Fernandez permanently if he started 50 per cent of games. The 21-year-old started seven of a possible 27 matches (25.92%) meaning there was no obligation to buy him this summer.

However, Benfica still wanted to push ahead with the transfer having been encouraged with the progress he has made since joining the club on loan. It is understood Benfica’s option to sign Fernandez permanently was set at €6m (£5.1m) with a potential €3m (£2.6m) in add-ons. United will retain a buyback option and sell-on clause should Benfica sell the Spaniard to another club.

The Spanish youngster was named United’s U23 Player of the Year in the 2021-22 campaign and spent the following season on loan at Championship club Preston North End, where he made 42 appearances. His prospective sale will be a significant boost to United's finances this summer, with the €6m fee recognised as pure profit on the balance books after he had been signed on a free transfer from Real Madrid in 2020.