Manchester United have been hit hard in their search for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández.
According to Cm, Spanish giant Real Madrid is set to submit a €70 million offer for the Argentina international.
Recently, Fernández has become a legitimate target for United, with many seeing him as the perfect alternative to the elusive Frenkie de Jong.
A recent report indicated that any interested party will have to pay his astronomical buyout clause of 120 million euros.
This would effectively make the midfielder the most expensive Argentine player ahead of Gonzalo Higuain, who joined Juventus from Napoli in a €90m deal.
Beyond United and Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are also said to be big fans of the 21-year-old.
The outlet has exclusively transmitted that the La Liga champions are not willing to activate Fernández’s termination clause as they do not want to pay so much.
The Merengues are only willing to shell out 70 million euros, a figure similar to what the Red Devils had paid Madrid for Casemiro in the summer.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are so intent on beating United with the signing of Fernández that they could send Reinier Jesus Carvalho, an attacking midfielder, to Benfica along with the money.
Reinier Jesus, a Brazilian international, is currently on loan at Girona from Madrid.
Madrid’s interest in Fernández arises from the uncertainty surrounding Jude Bellingham. Bellingham, who could be on the move this summer, is the subject of interest from many clubs, including United and Madrid.
If Madrid fails in its search for Bellingham, it would focus all its efforts on Fernández.
