Bruno Fernandes has urged Manchester United to sign Portugal teammate Joao Neves, stating he would love to have him ‘by his side’.
Manchester United have a poor start to their season, as they are already well behind early title chasers Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. Erik ten Hag would likely come close to those sides in the coming weeks, as he would like to build on recent momentum and hopefully some additions during the January window.
Manchester United are in the market for players in different positions, including central midfield. One name on their shortlist is that of young Portuguese star Joao Neves, but other clubs are chasing the 19-year-old midfield prodigy.
Benfica are not overly keen on selling their breakthrough star so soon, but clubs may tempt them with a sizeable offer ahead of the January window. Manchester United are already considering a move for next summer, but they may need help getting going in the next window.
Neves, who recently earned his first Portugal cap, has many admirers after some stellar performances for Benfica. The 19-year-old midfield prodigy took his chance when Enzo Fernandez left the club last January and hasn’t looked back since.
🔴🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes on Man United scouting João Neves: “I would love to have him at United, he has top quality! But it’s João choice…”.
“He’s great player but it depends on the coach ideas! He will have a great future, in United or somewhere else”, Bruno told @sporttvportugal. pic.twitter.com/TXGcUwGpvf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 18, 2023
Along with the many top clubs chasing him, Neves has left a lasting impression on Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes. The Manchester United skipper would love to have the 19-year-old midfield prodigy ‘by his side’ as he urged the Red Devils to consider the young stars, as his comments appeared on Sport TV via Football Transfers.
Fernandes said, “It has to be the Man United coach who says whether he has a place or not”. “He’s a great player, I don’t know if he would have a place or not. It depends on the coach and his ideas.”
“But he’s an excellent player and an excellent kid, very professional, You will have a bright future wherever you go. I would really like to have him by my side. Because he has quality and will have a bright future. It depends on him. What I want most is the best for him.”
While Manchester United will undoubtedly look at the player in detail, the chances of them making a move ahead of January are slim to none. Benfica wants €120 million to sell Neves, but they might reduce that asking price next summer.
Neves has a promising future and would be a great addition to many sides. As for Manchester United, they may not have the funds to convince Benfica of a sale, as the Portuguese clubs will not accept anything less than his release clause, something they already demonstrated last season with Fernandez’s sale to Chelsea.
Hence, while Fernandes would like the 19-year-old midfield prodigy ‘by his side’ at Manchester United, any move in the January window seems unlikely.
