Manchester United are reported to be pushing ahead with efforts to try and sign Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Manchester United have made an opening offer for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.
United are said to have submitted an offer of 60 million Euros – which equates to £51 million.
Neves is one of Portugal and Europe’s most exciting players, and has been linked to United regularly over the past year.
Manchester United bid for Neves rejected
Manchester United’s offer for Joao Neves has not been accepted. Benfica consider the offer for the midfielder insufficient.
Benfica president Rui Costa is demanding a fee towards 100 million Euros. Neves has a release clause of 120 million Euros.
Whether Manchester United have the funds or inclination to reach this figure remains to be seen. But Benfica have a proven track record of holding out for big money.
In the past they have sold the likes of Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez for more than £100 million, and managed to get Liverpool to shell out £80 million for Darwin Nunez.
Record reports Benfica are also counting on Neves’ value increasing at Euro 2024, similar to Fernandez at the 2022 World Cup.
Benfica also intend to offer Neves, 19, a new contract with an increased salary to reflect his importance to the team.
Neves made 33 league appearances for Benfica last season, playing in 55 games in all competitions.
His rise is reminiscent of Kobbie Maino’s impact at Manchester United, who is also heading to Euro 2024. The prospect of partnering them is an exciting one for United.
United have done one deal with Benfica
Manchester United have done one deal with Benfica this summer, with defender Alvaro Fernandez signing for the club after a loan spell.
Fernandez joined Benfica for a fee of £5 million, and has a release clause of £42 million in his contract.
While this deal will have helped relations between the two clubs, there is no indication of Benfica readily giving United a discount on their star midfield talent.