Manchester United set for €6 million FFP boost as first summer sale expected

Manchester United are set to receive a €6 million boost at the very start of the summer transfer window with their first sale likely to be a straightforward one.

Benfica are planning to trigger their option to buy Alvaro Fernandez permanently at the end of the season, despite the fact he has not played as many matches as initially expected.

Fernandez joined Benfica on a loan deal for the remainder of the season back in January following a spell at Granada. Although it was only an initial loan move, it featured an obligation for the Portuguese club to buy Fernandez permanently if he started 50 per cent of games.

The 21-year-old has started just four of a possible 24 matches (16.67%) since joining Benfica, meaning there is no obligation to buy him this summer. However, they are still expected to do so, having been encouraged with the progress he has made since joining the club. It is understood Benfica’s option to sign Fernandez permanently is set at €6m (£5.1m) with a potential €3m (£2.6m) in add-ons. United will retain a buyback option and sell-on clause should Benfica sell the Spaniard to another club.

The Spanish youngster was named United’s U23 Player of the Year in the 2021-22 campaign and spent the following season on loan at Championship club Preston North End, where he made 42 appearances. His prospective sale will be a significant boost to United's finances this summer, with the €6m fee recognised as pure profit on the balance books after he had been signed on a free transfer from Real Madrid in 2020.