Manchester United are set to watch Antonio Silva and Joao Neves in action as they ponder moves for the Benfica duo in the summer.
According to Record via Sport Witness, Manchester United is set to scout Antonio Silva and Joao Neves in action for Benfica, who will take on rivals Sporting CP. The Red Devils are keen on the Portuguese duo ahead of the summer as they ponder a summer approach.
Manchester United set to watch Antonio Silva
Manchester United are already planning ahead of the summer window with a few key positions the club are keen to strengthen. Erik ten Hag, irrespective of whether he remains at the club or not, will have put forward his ideas to the club and identified a central defender as a critical requirement.
The Red Devils are planning on signing a defender, while they could see a few of their current stars leave.
Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelof could leave, but there are doubts over Harry Maguire’s long-term future at the club. Hence, signing a centre-back will become a priority for the club, with Antonio Silva as one of their targets.
Silva has been a consistent presence for Benfica over the last few seasons and is already a regular for the Portuguese national side. Manchester United have already initiated contact with his agents and is now set to watch him in action when Benfica take on Sporting CP in a cup game on Thursday.
Silva has a mammoth €100 million release clause, which Manchester United and other suitors would like to bring down a bit. Benfica are open to a sale for the right price, as the Red Devils are set to watch him and then decide whether to make a summer approach.
Joao Neves also on Manchester United’s watchlist
With a scout set to be present in Portugal to watch Benfica take on Sporting, Manchester United will also take the opportunity to watch Joao Neves. They have already scouted the midfielder extensively and may feel the need to study his game further.
Manchester United faces the threat of Manchester City in the race for Neves, as both sides are eager to snap up the midfielder, with a massive release clause in his contract. The Benfica duo might view the summer window as a significant opportunity to move on and realise their career at a big club, with Manchester United hoping it will be them they choose.
