Man Utd inserted secret clause in Alvaro Fernandez deal that could prevent Liverpool from signing Benfica star

A secret clause inserted by Manchester United in a deal involving Benfica star Alvaro Fernandez Carreras could ruin Liverpool’s transfer plans.

During the summer transfer window, Liverpool were linked with a host of different players but only managed to bring one new player in.

Italian winger Federico Chiesa joined Liverpool from Juventus in a deal worth a reported fee of £12.5 million.

Meanwhile, the Reds have also agreed to a deal to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will move to Anfield next summer.

Looking ahead to the January transfer window, it has been reported that Liverpool are interested in signing Benfica full-back Carreras, who moved from United to Portugal at the start of the year.

However, Liverpool’s plans to bring the 21-year-old to Merseyside could be ruined by a buyback clause inserted by United in the deal that allowed Carreras to move to Benfica this summer.

It has been reported by Portuguese news outlet Record via Sport Witness that United have a £16.7 million buyback clause for Carreras.

As a result, United could well find themselves in pole position to re-sign the defender if they intend to.

The young Spaniard has made nine appearances so far in the 24/25 season for Benfica and has impressed, resulting in interest from the Premier League, as well as La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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Back in 2023, Carreras spoke to The Athletic about moving to Manchester.

He said: “I left Madrid when I was a kid. I had a contract on the table and decided not to renew and go to Manchester without knowing anything, without my family, going further away from home to a different culture.

“At that time, we were in lockdown (as the Covid-19 pandemic continued). We had a video call with the Manchester United bosses, the scouts who are here in Spain, and they were translating for me, because I had no idea of English.”

He added: “What I saw was that I wanted to take the next step, and I wasn’t going to do it in Madrid. There was (fellow Spanish speaker Juan Mata, (Edinson) Cavani, (David) de Gea, who pushed me, encouraged me and looked after me a lot. I have no complaints about that. At Madrid, maybe it’s more separate.”