Benfica midfielder Joao Neves has reportedly declined his club’s offer for a new contract amidst interest from Premier League giants Manchester United. The 19-year-old impressed many last season, playing in 33 matches, scoring three goals, and providing two assists. Neves primarily plays as a holding midfielder, a role Manchester United is looking to strengthen ahead of the 2024-25 season.
United’s current Brazilian holding midfielder, Casemiro, had a mixed season and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Sofyan Amrabat has not yet secured a permanent deal at Old Trafford. Due to his stellar performances last season, Neves has caught the attention of several top clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, who have now received a significant boost in their pursuit of the talented teenager.
Manchester United has received a major boost in their pursuit of Joao Neves. According to Portuguese outlet Record, Benfica is eager to keep Neves and has opened discussions with him about new and improved terms. However, Neves has reportedly rejected the new proposal, increasing speculation about a potential summer transfer. The report also mentions that Neves signed his latest contract extension just last year, which includes a £105 million release clause. He is aware that a further agreement could see the club price him out of the market entirely.
It is understood that Benfica recently turned down a bid of around £51 million from Manchester United for Neves, indicating they would not entertain offers of less than £85 million for the in-demand midfielder. Besides United, Neves is also on the radar of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. Neves’s current contract at Estadio do Benfica runs until the end of the 2027-28 Primeira Liga season.
Neves will spend the next few weeks with Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in the Portugal camp for the European Championship in Germany. The United skipper spoke highly of his 19-year-old compatriot back in March, suggesting he would excel in the Premier League. In a media interview, Fernandes said, “I don’t know if the United rumors are true, but I know he is ready for that big jump. He is an excellent player, currently with the national team. That’s also why the big clubs are pursuing him.”
Manchester United is expected to undergo a significant overhaul this summer, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe prioritizing the signing of young and promising players who are willing to adapt, as opposed to signing big names, a strategy the club has been criticized for in recent years. With Kobbie Mainoo poised to play a key role alongside his skipper in the United engine room next season, Neves could prove to be the perfect addition to complement the midfield.