Real Madrid are now in talks to sign a player Manchester United sold in 2024 for just £5m.
Ineos‘ transfer business in the opening year of their time at the helm of Manchester United has largely been considered successful.
Additions such as Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui have proven to be excellent pick-ups for United already, while Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and Matthijs de Ligt are all promising to end up success stories.
On the departure front, United sold Mason Greenwood for £25m, which could yet yield further financial income, given the sell-on clause in place and interest across Europe.
There could be some money arriving with Maxi Oyedele wanted by clubs in Europe with a £5m release clause and United’s sell-on clause, according to Fabrizio Romano.
🚨 Maxi Oyedele will not join Shakhtar Donetsk despite approaches as there are more European clubs keen on signing former Man Utd player.
Understand #MUFC will receive 40% of the future sale for €6m release clause available this summer included into his Legia Warsaw deal. pic.twitter.com/5BkxLLBa5c
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 14, 2025
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Now, another player sold last summer is wanted, and it is by none other than Real Madrid.
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Real Madrid open talks to sign Alvaro Fernandez
Former United starlet Alvaro Fernandez could be on the move again this summer.
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It was just last summer that United sold Fernandez to Benfica for just £5m, with the Portuguese side slapping a £42m release clause onto him. Since then, he’s gone from strength to strength for Benfica at left-back, making it scandalous that Erik ten Hag refused to give Fernandez a chance.
Now, United in Focus has spoken with transfer expert Graeme Bailey to learn that Fernandez is now the subject of Real Madrid’s interest as they look to hand Xabi Alonso a strong team.
“We understand that Real Madrid have opened talks with Benfica over a deal for Alvaro Fernandez. They have almost finalised terms for Dean Huijsen, and now they have moved for Alvaro. They want both players in before the CWC.
“Alvaro has enjoyed a sensational season for Benfica, and analytically speaking, he ranks as one of the best in Europe.
“Real are now talking terms with Benfica, but we know there is only so much they can ask for. United included a buy-back in the deal of around £15 million, and if they asked for too much more, Real would just do a deal with United.
“That, though, is not how Real are doing it as they are progressing with Benfica.
“We are informed that Alvaro is hugely excited about the prospect of joining Real. United did have some interest in signing him prior to bringing in Patrick Dorgu, but I am told the player was never looking to move back to Old Trafford.”
This would see Fernandez re-join his boyhood club, from where he departed in 2020, instead joining United, where he envisioned his breakthrough, only to not get the chance.
In Spain, Marca has also discussed this interest, admitting Madrid’s main concern is United, but if Fernandez has no intention of returning to Old Trafford, this means very little.
Manchester United and Ineos to benefit instantly from Alvaro Fernandez decision
Selling Fernandez last summer raised eyebrows around the fanbase, with knowledge that he had the potential to be a superstar in the future. However, with his chance unlikely to ever come under Ten Hag, selling was the right move, and now it might pay off.
Due to United including a 50% profit sell-on clause for Fernandez, this could be a transfer that helps ease the PSR concerns at Carrington, without Ineos having to do any work.
If Alvaro leaves for at least £30m, United will pocket around £12.5m of this amount, which would be a huge help for the financial problems currently impacting the club.
So the decision would have greatly paid off for Ineos, and it would surely tempt them to do more deals like this in the coming transfer window.