Man Utd move ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Enzo Fernandez

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 Jan 2023 09:23 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool and into the lead in the race to sign Argentina and Benfica wonderkid Enzo Fernandez.

Fernandez, 21, only joined the Portuguese giants in the summer after flourishing in his homeland for River Plate, but has already been heavily linked with a massive transfer away.

His form in the Champions League helped Benfica top their group ahead of French side Paris Saint-Germain, and he won the Young Player of the Tournament award at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

READ: Liverpool and the three clubs interested in Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez's introduction into the Argentina starting XI was one of Lionel Scaloni's greatest successes at the tournament and helped the South American side win the biggest trophy in international football for the first time since 1986.

Following his exploits in Qatar, Fernandez is set to be engrossed in a fierce transfer battle during the January transfer window, with Man Utd and Liverpool interested, along with Real Madrid and several other elite sides in Europe.

However, according to Bruno Andrade, Erik ten Hag's Man Utd are now the team in pole position to sign Fernandez, despite not being able to offer Champions League football.

READ: How Barcelona snubbed Enzo Fernandez & Julian Alvarez for €30m COMBINED

Fernandez to Man Utd?

The Old Trafford side are reportedly prepared to bid in excess of Fernandez's €120 million release clause in order to avoid facing any serious competition for his signature.

Benfica are reportedly only willing to let their midfield jewel leave if his release clause is met, but Man Utd are aware that several teams may be tempted to match that fee In order to negate that, they are willing to spend more than €120m on Fernandez to get a deal done as soon as possible. Furthermore, talks have already begun between both parties, with Man Utd eager to seal a deal for the youngster.

Ten Hag's side were heavily linked with a move for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong during the summer, but a transfer fee was never agreed between the two clubs. It now seems as though they've turned their attention to Fernandez, while also keeping a keen eye on Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham.