Manchester United IMMINENT bid to come for world-class teenager – Report

According to a new report, Manchester United are preparing to bid for Benfica star João Neves as soon as possible.

The report, which comes from the Portuguese outlet Record, states that the Red Devils have been keeping track of both Neves (19) as well as his teammate Antonio Silva (20) for several months.

Now, after months of interest, United are believed to be ready to elevate their pursuit of Neves, with several key figures at Ineos seeing him as an ideal part of their project.

Read More: Man United receive Casemiro transfer update as club prepares £34m bid

With Casemiro expected to leave this summer, Neves has been identified as an ideal replacement, who, at nineteen years old, will help to “rejuvenate” United’s midfield.

Though United are yet to formally place a bid for Neves, the report from Record states that “this will be a reality in the short term.” Additionally, as Neves is so strongly liked by those at Ineos, this bid is expected regardless of whether Erik ten Hag remains Manchester United’s head coach.

Elsewhere in the report from Record, it was noted that Benfica would ideally keep Neves for the 2024/25 season before letting him leave next year. However, they are believed to be ready to part for Silva, who is also an established target, as United continue to plan on bringing in two centre-halves this summer.

Over the last eight years, Benfica have made a habit of selling players for massive transfer fees, with Neves and Silva expected to be the next two out of the door.

With eleven players leaving for over £30 million since the summer of 2016, Benfica have managed to bring in fees of over £100 million on two occasions with Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez’s departures.

United have been linked with a move for Neves for some time, with Benfica informing reporters earlier this year that no negotiations had taken place regarding Neves moving to Old Trafford.

Releasing a statement in January, Benfica announced the following: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over its player João Neves.

“Under no circumstances did Sport Lisboa e Benfica enter into talks with Manchester United or any other club about this player from their formation – nor does it intend to do so – so any information that points in another direction is false.”

Despite this, Manchester United do currently have some form of working relationship with the Portuguese giants, having sent Alvaro Fernandez on loan to the club during the January transfer window.