Manchester United are starting to tighten the seige around Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, according to Portuguese outlet Record (today’s edition). The Red Devils currently have Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay as their senior options in the defensive midfield department. All three of them have been inconsistent this season and this could urge the club […]
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Manchester United are starting to tighten the seige around Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, according to Portuguese outlet Record (today’s edition).
The Red Devils currently have Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay as their senior options in the defensive midfield department.
All three of them have been inconsistent this season and this could urge the club to spend big on a new recruit at the end of the campaign.
United have been keeping tabs on Neves for a while and Record report that they are starting to tighten the grip around the Portuguese.
Manchester City are also admirers of the 19-year-old wonderkid, who currently has a release clause worth €120m in his contract with Benfica.
The teenager only made his breakthrough for Benfica last season, but he has already become one of the most sought-after youngsters in world football.
This season, Neves has been impressive with a passing accuracy of 91 per cent in the Portuguese top-flight. He has won two tackles and 6.7 duels per outing.
Neves is a defensive midfielder by trade but he can also operate centrally. Over the weekend, he started surprisingly on the right wing and was brilliant.
He won 13 duels and five take-ons against Chaves in a 2-0 win. In our view, the Portuguese has all the attributes to become a world-class star in future.
United are unlikely to trigger his release clause next summer for Financial Fair Play reasons, and they should instead negotiate a lower price with Benfica.
With City also interested in Neves, United should be pro-active in the pursuit.
They have a good relationship with the player’s agent Jorge Mendes and should reach a verbal agreement over personal terms at the earliest.
If United were to sign Neves, Casemiro will likely head for the exit door. He has shown signs of regression this term and could leave during the summer.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
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