“I never said…” Club president admits Manchester United target can leave for under release clause

Manchester United have been handed a boost as one of their previous summer transfer targets could leave for less than his release clause this summer.

Manchester United have made a strong start to the summer transfer window by signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36 million and securing an 18-year-old centre-back, Leny Yoro, from Lille for £52 million.

The acquisition of Yoro, in particular, has garnered praise for the club and INEOS, as they managed to outmanoeuvre Real Madrid to sign the young talent, demonstrating their future ambitions.

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The club has also been linked with a move for a midfielder, with 23-year-old Manuel Ugarte of Paris St. Germain being a top target. Ugarte recently helped Uruguay achieve a third-place finish in the 2024 Copa America tournament.

There have also been recent links with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who has a release clause of slightly above £50 million. However, the window started off with strong rumours linking the club to Benfica talent João Neves.

The 19-year-old midfield sensation is said to have a release clause of around £85 million, and it was initially believed that United distanced themselves from negotiations due to the high price, but club president Rui Costa has now confirmed that he could leave for less than this figure.

“I never said that João Neves could only leave through the clause and, therefore, it is false that I said a situation like that,” he said via O Jogo.

“What I can say in relation to João Neves is that it is true, and I will not hide it, that there is a proposal on the table.

“There is a proposal on the table that is being evaluated, that is being talked about, but, at the moment, João Neves continues to be a Benfica player.

“At the moment, there is an ongoing negotiation, as is the case with other players, and therefore, allow me to reserve myself, at this moment, to take care of things for what is best for Benfica.”

According to reports, is it PSG who have tabled the proposal, which is said to be at around £59 million. With United looking for a midfielder, these words could encourage the club to reenter talks for the player, who shares the same agent as Leny Yoro – Jorge Mendes.

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