Manchester United are in pursuit of new signings and the potential recruit at the top of the dream signings list is Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves.
It is a shame Manchester United might end up working to a tight budget this summer, because there might be a chance for the club to double down on Kobbie Mainoo.
While England have one Kobbie Mainoo, Portugal have another, Joao Neves. Manchester United would like to pair them together.
Benfica don’t want to play ball, insisting Manchester United pay his big release clause, with Record claiming a bid was turned down this week.
Roberto Martinez backs Joao Neves to be able to play for Manchester United
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has conducted an interview with Rio Ferdinand for Five and gave an in depth assessment of Joao Neves.
Martinez says the next 50 games Neves plays will be crucial for his career, and says he has to decide whether he wants to leave this summer, or spend another season with Benfica.
Speaking about the 19-year-old, Martinez was asked if Neves has the ability to play for Manchester United, and responded: “100 per cent.”
He added: “Everything comes into his stride, the quicker the game, the better the opposition, the better his decisions are”.
Martinez said that Portugal were keen not to rush his development, sending him to the under-21s first, but admits that after watching Benfica play Porto earlier this season, and see Neves awarded man of the match, he knew it was time to call him up.
He added that he was impressed with the way Neves immediately commanded the respect of his senior, vastly experienced Portugal teammates.
The manager explained: “Something that is very difficult and rare to see, the biggest measurement of a player is the respect of the dressing room.
“He walked into that dressing room and within three days of training, he made his debut against Bosnia, win away from home.
“While he was on the bench Joao Cancelo scored a goal, and he sprinted to the bench and he celebrated the goal with Joao Neves, who he met three days before, and I think that’s a measurement of what he is as an individual, someone very respected straight away.”
Joao Neves qualities
Roberto Martinez was asked about Joao Neves’ qualities, and while he refrained from comparing him to any past players, he gave a glowing assessment of his ability.
The former Belgium boss explained: “He’s an intelligent midfielder. He’s a six who can be an eight, he can get into the box, finishing situations, but his work is more about, to always be in the right positions centrally.
“He can receive the ball in any position, very strong with both feet, and he’s got a low sense of balance, [that] allows him to protect the ball really well. [He’s] someone who uses the short pass more than the long pass, he’s still 19. He’s a player who plays bigger games than his age.”
Joao Neves would be an investment for Manchester United for sure, but spending the £105 million release clause would create some issues at Old Trafford.
This could compromise the rest of the club’s transfer budget, when reinforcements are required up front and in central defence, while placing Neves under an extreme amount of pressure at an early stage in his career.