Manchester United ‘begin transfer talks with £100m star’ for the summer
Is it a mid-life crisis for De Bruyne? A great player, but what about the new look? Is he recording a song? Go back to being boring Kevin! It’s All Kicking Off
Manchester United are reportedly in discussions with Benfica to secure the signing of teenage sensation Joao Neves during the upcoming summer transfer window. The 19-year-old holding midfielder has caught the attention of scouts after impressing as a regular starter for Roger Schmidt’s side this season.
Neves has appeared in 27 matches across all competitions for Benfica, showcasing his talent on both domestic and international stages. He recently earned his first three caps for the Portuguese national team during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
According to The Mirror, Neves is now seen as a priority target for Manchester United following the club’s recent ownership change with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival. The Red Devils have initiated talks with Benfica, despite the fact that Neves has a £103 million buy-out clause, equivalent to €120 million.
Reports suggest that Manchester United firmly believe Neves is worth the significant investment and are actively engaged in negotiations for a summer deal. However, Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has made it clear that Neves will not be allowed to leave the club during the current January transfer window.
Schmidt stated, We are halfway through the season and we have big goals. We certainly won’t let any of these players leave. We need them and no one wants to leave, so there’s no question.
Manchester United experienced a transformative effect when they acquired Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020. Fernandes has since become the team captain and has delivered impressive performances, scoring 47 goals in 143 Premier League appearances.
It is important to note that Neves possesses a different playing style compared to Fernandes, often assuming the role of a defensive or central midfielder with a focus on tackling and interceptions.
As Manchester United continue their pursuit of promising young talents, conversations with Benfica highlight their determination to secure Neves’ signature in the coming months. The potential acquisition of Joao Neves represents the club’s ambition to strengthen their midfield and build on the success of their recent acquisitions.
With the summer transfer window on the horizon, fans will eagerly wait to see if Manchester United can finalize a deal for the highly rated teenage star. As negotiations progress, the footballing world holds its breath, eager to witness the latest twist in the ongoing saga of Joao Neves’ potential move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
