Man United next transfer decided after Antony exit sealed with Patrick Dorgu alternative
The January transfer window will close in eight days and Manchester United are facing a brutal reality that Ruben Amorim would have been dreading.
United are yet to sign a player in the window despite the number of alarming issues across the squad. Though there has been some positive signs under Amorim, the Red Devils find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League.
On Saturday, the loan exit of Antony to Real Betis was confirmed. The winger moves to Spain with the ambition of reigniting his career after two-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford. It's understood that Betis are paying a substantial amount of his wages meaning a slight boost in regard to FFP.
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Many expect the Brazilian's exit to be the trigger for United to move in the window. Lecce's Patrick Dorgu is the priority to bolster Amorim's left wing-back but United are in the middle of an unwanted negotiation that could rumble on until February 3's deadline.
United need a new left-back and the sooner they sort that problem, the better. The question is, why is the thought of selling Alejandro Garnacho - for 'pure profit' - to bring in an unproven left-back for close to £35million?
Dorgu, on one hand, is a talented footballer who is wanted with him having time on his hands and potential to fit into Amorim's 3-4-3 system. But there is the option, the much better one, of triggering the clause in Alvaro Fernandez's buy-back clause at Benfica.
The left wing-back joined the Portuguese giants in the summer in a deal worth £5m. Fast forward six months and he's reportedly back on United's radar. Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been credited with interest but they don't have the luxury of a buy-back clause much less than his value.
A number of fees have been touted but it seems close to £16.7m is the price they would have to pay to bring him back to the club. It's significantly less than the price being demanded by Lecce for Dorgu.
With that in mind, there is an argument that Fernandez is the much better deal and should be the next transfer through the door at Old Trafford.
