Manchester United to battle Manchester City and Real Madrid for River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez in the summer
According to South American outlet Clarin (h/t Mirror), Manchester United are locked in a three-way transfer battle for River Plate midfielder Enzo Fernandez ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Fernandez has been a rising star for the Argentinian club, pulling the strings in midfield for the team and earning plaudits. His displays in the middle of the park have seen him be linked to United, who are set for a squad rebuild under their new manager Erik ten Hag.
ten Hag will take over the Manchester side at the end of the season, putting together a new-look team. The summer transfer window will be crucial to the club’s future, having to build a squad that can compete for trophies next term.
Midfield is an area that needs addressing in the summer, with their current crop of options not proving to be consistent or reliable in the big games. It has been a weak link of the team for a while now, and it will be curious to see who the new boss can eventually land.
Three-way battle for Fernandez
In order to secure the services of Fernandez, the Red Devils will need to pay off the £17m release clause built into his River Plate contract. Not just this, the Old Trafford outfit also needs to beat off competition from other sides, including City and Real.
Local rivals City have already snapped up striker Julian Alvarez from River Plate this year and could raid the club once again for Fernandez by paying the required fee. From outside the Premier League, Real are also keen to secure the 21-year-old’s signature at the end of the season.
ten Hag will be keen to get ahead of the line to sign Fernandez in order to reinforce his midfield. With the impending exits of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard for free, there is a vacancy in the middle of the park.
The Argentinian could prove to be a smart buy for the club, adding someone young to create a dynamic new squad filled with talent and energy. The outgoing United midfielders are all over the age of 29, which will see a significant change in the team.
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However, City and Real could throw a spanner in the works. Having already negotiated a deal for Alvarez in January and opened dialogue with River Plate, they could use this relationship to their advantage and jump the line for Fernandez.
Real are looking to build on their La Liga triumph and add more depth to the squad. With Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric not getting any younger, a replacement will be needed soon. Only time will tell if Fernandez becomes their latest signing in the summer.
