Manchester United are considering whether to exercise their buy-back clause for Alvaro Fernandez at Benfica if they cannot agree a fee for Lecce's Patrick Dorgu.
United had an offer of £16.8m plus £4.2m in add-ons rejected by Lecce last week and suggested £25.2m in further informal talks but are yet to reach an agreement.
They have a £15 million buyback option on Alvaro that is active until January 2026 and sent staff to re-watch him on Saturday night while Benfica played at Casa Pia.
The full-back made his eighteenth appearance for the Portuguese side in the 3-1 defeat and also played in all seven Champions League matches.
Dorgu remains a possibility, but 21-year-old Alvaro, who has been one of Benfica's best players this season, represents good value.
The Spaniard came to United from Real Madrid in September 2020, signed a four-year contract and was subsequently loaned out to Preston and Benfica, among others.
He left to join Liga Portugal permanently after they activated a £5 million purchase option in his loan deal last summer.
Speaking last November, Alvaro revealed that a return to United is not on his radar and that he is fully focused on his goals with Benfica and the Spanish national team.
“I have people close to me and they are the ones who look at it more,” he told Marca.
'To be honest, I don't pay much attention to it. I concentrate on what I have to do because I have a competition every three days.
'It's always nice when teams call you and everyone wants to grow, but I'm doing very well here.
“United have a signed purchase option, but I am very happy here. I have a five-year contract with Benfica.
'I want to win titles and continue to grow personally, because I am only 21 years old. I want to win, whether it is with Spain or with Benfica, to continue to grow.'
United are looking to expand their squad under new manager Ruben Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag last year in a bid to turn around the Red Devils' fortunes.
Since taking charge, the Portuguese has implemented a three-back system that relies somewhat on the attacking play of the wing-backs, although options in terms of players playing in that position are scarce.
Luke Shaw has been injured but is expected to return next month, while Tyrell Malacia has been told he could be loaned out. Como investigated the Dutchman, but has since moved on to other targets.
PSG's Nuno Mendes was the first choice at left-back, but he and Bournemouth's second option Milos Kerkez were too expensive for United's budget, so Dorgu was pursued.
He remains an active target but United are determined not to overpay.
On that side, Noussair Mazraoui also played the role at times, but seemed more comfortable as part of the back three.
Amad Diallo is another player who has played full-back but has excelled in a more attacking role, including a hat-trick against Southampton last week.
United are therefore keen to sign more natural players to fill the role, with Dorgu, 28, who is also a full Denmark international, at the top of the list, and Alvaro as a back-up option in case they fail to sign the Lecce . man.
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