Manchester United have confirmed the permanent transfer of Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica.
The 21-year-old will continue at Estadio da Luz following a successful loan stint with Roger Schmidt’s squad in the latter part of the season.
Benfica, the runners-up in Primeira Liga, activated the €6 million (£5.1 million) purchase option included in Fernandez’s loan agreement from January.
Fernandez joined United from Real Madrid in the summer of 2020 after initial spells with Deportivo La Coruna and Racing de Ferrol,
becoming a regular at youth level and winning Under-23 Player of the Year honours before spending the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign on loan in the Championship with Preston,
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where he won their Young Player of the Year award.
Fernandez did not make a single senior appearance during his four years at United despite being highly-rated among fans and named as a first-team substitute on multiple occasions, though his time at Old Trafford may not be completely done just yet.
Fabrizio Romano reports that United’s sale of the Spain Under-21 international includes a buy-back clause and the right to match other future transfer offers as well as a future sell-on clause.
In a statement to confirm his exit, United said:
“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 is now under contract with Benfica until 2029.
