Manchester United looked keen to sign Benfica star Joao Neves this summer to strengthen their midfield. The Premier League club initially submitted a bid worth €60m (£50.8m) for the 19-year-old. After the Benfica hierarchy rejected it, Manchester United increased the amount to €70m (£59.3m). According to a report by Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, the second offer also failed to impress Benfica as they wanted more value for the midfield prodigy. Apart from Manchester United, Paris Saint Germain also put forward a similar £59.3m bid for Neves which was also ignored by the Portuguese club.
The youngster has performed exceptionally over the past few seasons and secured a place in the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal squad featuring in the ongoing EURO in Germany. Considering his talent, Benfica signed a new deal with Neves last August. Back then, the club added a release clause worth €120m (£101.7m) to his contract, which is slated to expire at the end of the 2027-28 season.
The report by Correio da Manha claimed that Benfica would only entertain offers that breached the €100m (£84.7m) mark. The club won’t mind if any club wants to pay the nine-figure release clause of Neves.
Manchester United are desperate to include a midfield option in the squad this summer. If they break the bank for Neves, he may become the English club’s most expensive signing of all time, overtaking Paul Pogba, who joined the Red Devils on the back of a £89m deal in 2016.
Earlier this year, Neves’ Portugal teammate and United star Bruno Fernandes addressed the rumours linking the teenager with a move to the Manchester-based club. The veteran midfielder said on Sport TV, “I don’t know if United rumours are true, but I know he is ready for that big jump. He is an excellent player, he’s with the national team, that’s also why the big clubs are after him.”
When asked about his future plans, Neves said, “Ahead of next season, wherever I may be, I will always give my all. My plan for the moment is to stay at Benfica but you never know, so I can’t promise anything,” as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
Neves has already made 75 appearances for Benfica. He has already won the Primeira Liga and Portuguese Super Cup with his childhood club. In the last campaign, Neves represented the Eagles in 55 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing two assists. He has featured in two games for Portugal in the ongoing European Championship.
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