Manchester United defender Alvaro Fernandez has admitted that Preston North End have tried to re-sign him.
Fernandez joined PNE on loan last summer as he made his first foray out into men’s football.
A star of the United Under-23 side, Fernandez was sent for a season of Championship football to aid his experience.
The Spaniard was impressive for North End, starting 27 Championship games whilst making 12 substitute appearances.
Fernandez spent his time as a left wing back at North End and managed four assists over the course of the season.
PNE fans loved Fernandez and the 20-year-old even won the club’s Young Player of the Year award.
Now back with United, Fernandez has been featuring prominently in pre-season games with Tyrell Malacia out.
Fernandez started in the defeat to Wrexham overnight and has now spoken to Spanish newspaper AS about his future.
The former Real Madrid talent claims that PNE have been targeting a loan return for Fernandez, seemingly hoping to sign him for another year.
Fernandez claims that ‘great’ Championship teams have been calling in an attempt to sign him, opening up the possibility of him facing PNE next season.
Fernandez doesn’t seem all that interested in playing in the Championship again though, believing that he needs to take the next step and head to a top league.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Spain or England in Fernandez’s eyes; we could certainly see a move to Belgium, Portugal, Germany or the Netherlands materialising.
“After the season I did, I think I had good numbers and I have been called up by great Championship teams and Preston wanted to continue counting on me,” said Fernandez.
“In the hypothetical case that I have to go on loan, I would tell you that the time has come to take the step, to go to a top league. Not to say directly the Premier or LaLiga. There is little left to know,” he added.
PNE still need a left wing back following Fernandez’s departure but appear to have missed out on both Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Yasser Larouci this summer.
Fans may still dream of Fernandez coming back but it’s clear that he has bigger plans in mind as he considers heading out on loan again.