Benfica star Alvaro Fernandez is not thought to be considering a return to Manchester United during the January transfer window.
While United are working under tight financial restrictions this month, the club hope to bring in a left-sided option capable of instantly slotting into Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
Lecce star Patrick Dorgu is the club’s first choice with the club prioritising a move for the Denmark international.
Lecce are holding out for a fee of €40million (£33.5m) but United are hopeful of negotiating a cheaper price with the Serie A side before the transfer window closes on 3 February.
As an alternative, United are also considering a move to bring Fernandez back to the club a year after leaving Old Trafford.
The Spain Under-21 international joined Benfica on loan in January last year with the move made permanent in the summer. He left United without registering a single senior appearance despite being named their Under-23 player of the year in 2022.
The 21-year-old has shone in the Portuguese top flight, becoming a first-team star this season.
United have a £15million buyback option on the young defender that is reportedly active until January 2026.
But according to The Athletic, Fernandez’s preference is to see out the current campaign with Benfica. The report states sources close to the player suggest he is not considering a move this month.
Fernandez has been virtually ever-present in the Benfica starting XI this season, occupying a more traditional left-back role rather than the wing-back position Amorim is looking to fill.
For now, United’s focus remains on Dorgu. The 20-year-old is currently in his second season with Lecce after joining from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland for a modest fee of £175,000.
Lecce are facing a relegation battle, currently sat in the bottom three with only two points separating the sides from 13th down to themselves in 18th.
Lecce are determined to keep hold of a player who may prove crucial to their survival hopes until the end of the season.
‘[In terms of sales] we are trying to resist, as is logical, because it is in our interest to keep the players who are protagonists of this group,’ club president Saverio Sticchi Damiani told Sky Italia.
‘So far, our idea is to not sell anyone in January.’
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