Man Utd are prepared to pay over Enzo Fernandez’s release clause at Benfica to make sure they beat Chelsea to his signature, according to reports.
The Red Devils are looking to strengthen their midfield with speculation that French giants Paris Saint-Germain could make a ‘shock’ move for Fred.
Most top clubs in Europe seem to be in for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham with a deal for Fernandez seen by some as a cheaper alternative to the England international.
However, Fernandez certainly won’t come too cheap with Benfica pointing any interested parties towards his €120m release clause with multiple clubs competing for his services.
A report earlier today insists that Chelsea are prepared to break their transfer record to sign Fernandez, who was on the stars of the Argentina side who beat France in the final of the World Cup earlier this month.
It has been claimed the Blues have ‘proposed’ a huge €127m offer to land he World Cup star with Chelsea’s new owners hoping they can tie up a deal in January.
And now Portuguese publication Correio da Manhã (via Sport Witness) claims that Man Utd are also ready to make an offer ‘above’ Fernandez’s €120m release clause.
The Red Devils are said to be ‘at the forefront’ of the queue to sign Fernandez with his agent Jorge Mendes ‘gathering’ bids from interested parties to present to Benfica.
Another newspaper, O Jogo, add that Mendes is expecting an offer of €130m from a suitor in the near future with his departure from the Portuguese club now a ‘inevitability’.
Former Man City defender Pablo Zabaleta said during the first couple of weeks of the World Cup that he expects his compatriot to move “to a big club” in the near future.
Zabaleta said on BBC Sport: “He’s been really good in both games, he’s been one of the best players for Argentina. He’s only 21 but he’s been fantastic and I think next summer, he will go to a big club. He’s got vision, his passing and shooting ability is great. He can play as a number four but also as a number eight.”
And ex-Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison reckons Fernandez “could be in the Premier League soon” following his performances at the World Cup.
Morrison said on Sky Sports: “I like Fernandez, what a player.He could be in the Premier League soon. A holding midfielder at such a young age and a young player of the tournament. Outstanding.”
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