Manchester United are keen to sign an 18-year-old Portuguese midfield sensation from Benfica as Erik ten Hag eyes quality reinforcements.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester United have set sights on Benfica youngster Joao Neves. The 18-year-old Portuguese midfield sensation had a brilliant second half of the season, helping the club win the domestic title.
Manchester United are finally making headway with their transfer plans after a period of impasse and uncertainty. The big issue for Erik ten Hag has been the unclear situation in the background that needed to give him a clear picture of the budget and the kind of player they can sign.
For weeks now, they have trailed Mason Mount. After three rejected bids and almost walking away from the deal, they are now close to agreeing on a price with Chelsea for the 24-year-old England international. Ten Hag also needs a striker, but the names mentioned are all very expensive.
Similarly, he has had eyes on a new midfielder for the best part of this window. They were mentioned as outsiders in the Declan Rice race, now won by Arsenal and considered a suitor in the chase for Moises Caicedo. The Brighton star remains one of the formidable names, but expensive and inching closer to Chelsea.
Hence, there needs to be clarity for the supporters on who the club might target next to become Casemiro’s partner. Few fear they might see Mount playing that role instead of Christian Eriksen, although the 24-year-old seems suited to play the advanced role.
Meanwhile, Gianluca Di Marzio insists they are interested in Benfica’s 18-year-old Portuguese midfield sensation Joao Neves. The young midfielder has had a tremendous second part of the season and now seems like a settled player, especially after the departure of Enzo Fernandez in January.
Neves made his senior debut in December and has since become an important player for the team. The 18-year-old midfielder ended with 17 league appearances, starting the last six games and featuring three times in the Champions League.
Manchester United might hold a genuine interest in the player, but would Ten Hag consider him a first-team member yet? Not quite, as the Dutch manager already has a similar player in Lille’s Carlos Baleba in sight, who also is in a similar age group.
Hence, the signing should have the promise of a future star rather than thinking about Neves slotting straight into their first-team plans. Any possibility of a transfer will depend on Benfica’s asking price, who managed to renew the 18-year-old until 2029.
