Man Utd learn price for Argentina star Messi called 'spectacular'

FT Desk

• 29 Nov 2022 15:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United already paid €57.4 million for Lisandro Martinez in July, but now they might have to part with twice that amount for one of his Argentina teammates…

Martinez has impressed for United since his summer arrival from Ajax, and the centre-back has carried his form into the World Cup with Argentina.

Messi has been Argentina's best player, meanwhile, the former Barcelona star scoring twice in two games to keep his nation's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 alive.

READ: Why Man Utd, Liverpool and Barcelona transfer target Enzo Fernandez is worth €120m

But Argentina's best player not called Messi or Martinez has been Enzo Fernandez, who hit a fine second goal from a Messi pass as Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 on Saturday.

United are in the market for a central midfielder having lost Paul Pogba and failed to acquire Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona last summer, and Benfica-owned Fernandez would fit the bill. He won't come cheap, though.

"Benfica and Argentina know they have a diamond in the rough," report Marca. "And it's already necessary for him to explore his options during this World Cup. Benfica will look for a transfer this summer - to La Liga or the Premier League - that will be around €100m."

In fact Fernandez - who is rated at €27.7m by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm - reportedly has a release clause of €120m - so United might need to part with significantly more to seal his signature.

READ: Messi, Suarez & more: Inter Miami to create Barcelona Dream Team

Messi praise

Messi, whose own future is uncertain with Inter Miami and Barcelona circling with his PSG contract up this summer, certainly thinks Fernandez would be worth it.

"I know Enzo very well, here from the national team and I also played against him in the Champions League," he said after his wondergoal against Mexico.

"He deserves it, because he's a spectacular kid and a very important player for us."

Fernandez only joined Benfica from River Plate €12m in July, and the Portuguese giants stand to make 10 times that just five months on.