Man Utd hold talks with wonderkid defender after €15m Arsenal masterstroke

Manchester United have held talks with Hugo Fernandez, who has been earmarked as Valencia‘s next great centre-back prospect following Cristhian Mosquera‘s move to Arsenal.

The iconic Spanish club have fallen on tough times in recent years, but their brilliant academy has continued to churn out hugely exciting talents. Several highly-rated defenders have come through the Valencia set-up in the past few seasons.

Yarek Gasiorowski was on the radar of Arsenal before joining PSV, and the Gunners signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for just €15 million in the summer, in what has proved to be an inspired piece of business.

Now, Man Utd want to get in on the act, too. According to Spanish outlet Esportbase, the Red Devils are among the clubs to have made contact with Valencia starlet Hugo Fernandez.

The 18-year-old has yet to make his senior debut, but he has been impressing in the club’s youth teams and is currently starring for the reserves in the Spanish fourth tier.

Man Utd pushing for Spanish wonderkid

According to the report, at least three English clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd – have been in contact with the player’s camp to express an interest in potentially signing him.

Man Utd, the Spanish publication claims, are the “most persistent” in courting Fernandez, but Chelsea are also offering an enticing project thanks to their ownership of Strasbourg. The young Spaniard was born in Paris.

All three would initially let Fernandez play in their U23 sides. However, he would be given a clear pathway to first-team football because of the shortage of centre-back talent in his age group in the Premier League.

No formal offers have as yet arrived for the 18-year-old, but interest is growing. However, snapping him up may not be straightforward. His contract runs until 2027 with the option to extend it until 2029, and his release clause is described as “high.”

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