Manchester United star ‘would love’ club to sign wonderkid with £100m release clause

Bruno Fernandes has waxed lyrical about one Portuguese teammate and suggested that he’d love to play with him at Manchester United.

Fernandes, 29, scored another goal against Iceland for Portugal to increase his impressive tally during their flawless Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

The United playmaker has scored six goals in their 10 qualifying games and also bagged seven assists.

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In midfield, alongside Fernandes, impressive youngster Joao Neves has emerged into the setup, making three appearances from the bench in the latter minutes of Portugal’s last three qualifying games.

The 19-year-old has been awarded minutes with his national team after some brilliant form with his club Benfica over the last year.

Neves started all six of the Portuguese club’s last six league fixtures ahead of their winning campaign last term, where they pipped FC Porto to the title by just two points and has now started 12 of their opening 15 games this season.

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The highly-rated midfielder has reportedly been eyed by Erik ten Hag’s side, among other clubs, and also supposedly has a release clause at Benfica of around £100 million – although, it is said that a deal could be done for around £60 million

Speaking to Sport TV last week about the rumours linking Neves to an Old Trafford move, Fernandes said: “I would love to have him at United, he has top quality!

“But it’s Joao’s choice. He’s a great player but it depends on the manager’s ideas! He will have a great future, in United or somewhere else.

“But he’s an excellent player and an excellent kid, very professional. He 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.”