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Manchester United’s lowly finish in last season’s Premier League have left new minority owners INEOS with plenty of work to do this summer.
Erik ten Hag’s first team squad is in major need of additions and will be hoping the new sporting structure can deliver the players he wants.
One of these is reportedly Benfica midfielder João Neves.
However, the 19-year-old starlet is a wanted man after enjoying an outstanding breakthrough season in the Liga Portugal.
United have already seen a €70 million bid rejected for the midfielder amidst the interest of other top European clubs such as PSG.
Portuguese media have provided an update on Neves situation and it doesn’t make good reading for United fans.
O Jogo state that Neves has a “desire to move to Ligue 1” and “intends to leave” Benfica this summer.
The Portuguese giants were desperate to keep hold of their star man this summer but, much like many clubs in Europe, have a need to balance their financial books.
President Rui Costa was desperate to hold out for his €120 million release clause but given Neves desire to leave Luz, he may well have to soften his stance.
INEOS will be closely monitoring the situation and should PSG test Benfica’s resolve with a higher bid that the €70 million they have already had turned down, it will be interesting see the response from Portugal and indeed from United.
O Jogo say a sale is looking “increasingly likely” and with Neves giving the green light to PSG it seems United are second favourites in the race for his signature as things stand.
The news will not encourage Ten Hag, who identified Neves as his primary target to bolster his midfield for the upcoming campaign.
Having struggled to get a grip of the middle of the park last season, United’s need for better quality in the engine room is clear and Neves looked the perfect player to compliment the current crop.
United do have other irons in the fire, such as Uruguayan Manuel Ugarte, but missing out on Neves will bring back painful memories for Ten Hag who has had to settle for secondary targets too often since arriving in Manchester.
If Benfica do start to lower their asking price in negotiations with PSG, it would at least offer United encouragement to come back in with an improved offer of their own, but with the player keen on the Parc des Princes, it will certainly be an uphill struggle.
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