Premier League giants Manchester United are close to sending Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica on an £8.6 million loan-to-buy deal in a move which could open the door for David Jurasek to join Rangers.
- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC Football understands that, with one of Manchester United’s brightest young talents on his way to the Portuguese capital, this could present an opportunity north of the border.
Alvaro Fernandez, HITC has been informed, is close to joining Benfica from the Red Devils, cutting short his loan spell at La Liga outfit Granada in the process. The Spain under 21 left-back will move to the Primeira Liga powerhouses initially on a temporary basis, albeit with an £8.6 million option-to-buy clause in his contract.
Alvaro Fernandez close to Manchester United exit
Fernandez, who said recently that Erik ten Hag ‘didn’t count on me’ at Old Trafford despite catching the eye in pre-season, is open to a move away from Old Trafford. Benfica’s superb track record when it comes to developing young talent certainly bodes well for the 20-year-old’s prospects.
HITC also understands that Fernandez’s arrival will open the door for fellow left-back David Jurasek to leave Benfica. Rangers and Marseille are fans of the 23-year-old Czech Republic defender.
Interestingly, both clubs are also speaking to Hellas Verona about former Hibernian flyer Josh Doig. Doig is reportedly on his way to Marseille instead of Rangers, however. And that may leave Philippe Clement’s side free to pursue Jurasek.
Jurasek joined Benfica in a £12 million deal from Slavia Prague just last summer. He has made only six league appearances under Roger Schmidt, however. It remains to be seen if Benfica are open to a permanent departure after only a couple of months.
If Rangers do want Jurasek on a full-time basis, they would likely be reliant on Benfica accepting a substantial loss on a player who has struggled to live up to his sizeable price-tag.
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