Manchester United are believed to have overtaken Liverpool in the race to sign World Cup hero Enzo Fernandez and are willing to pay his £106million release clause in full.

National Daily can confirm that the Argentine has emerged as one of the best young midfielders in the game following a thrilling World Cup campaign, having also hit the ground running at Benfica having joined the Portuguese giants from River Plate in the summer.

Fernandez who was also crowned young player of the tournament during Argentina’s success in Qatar, is wanted by the Premier League giants with Real Madrid also credited with keen interest in the midfielder National Daily learnt.

United are reported to be willing to pay Fernandez £106 million release clause in full

Though Liverpool had emerged as early front runners but report reaching National Daily from the claim by UOL Esporte now suggests that United have taken the lead in the race for the signature of the 21-year-old.

The young midfielder has a release clause of £106million in his contract at Benfica with United understood to have informed the club they are prepared to meet that in full.

With that development in mind, the report claims United are now the clear favourites to sign Fernandez, with Liverpool likely to focus their efforts on signing Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.

Erik ten Hag has set about rebuilding United’s midfield options with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro joining the club last summer.

The club also pursued a deal for Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong for three months over the summer but were unable to strike a deal with the player or Barcelona with negotiations hampered by Barcelona’s financial issues.

Casemiro and Eriksen have both taken on leading roles at Old Trafford with Scott McTominay also regularly featuring in ten Hag’s plans.

United have also taken the option to extend Fred’s contract at the club by 12 months after his current deal was set to expire in the summer.

Donny van de Beek, who excelled under ten Hag during their time together at Ajax, also remains at the club but is still to make a lasting impression in Manchester.

United are expected to be active in January but their priority is thought to be a centre forward with recent reports claiming that the Red Devils are preparing a bid for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo.