Benfica reject Manchester United bid for Joao Neves transfer

Manchester United are serious about finding a replacement for Casemiro in the midfield. Their chase of a Portuguese youngster has found a huge wall as the player’s owner club, Benfica, rejected United’s £51 million proposal, according to Record Portugal. 

Benfica at least required the Old Trafford-based side to meet their £85 million expected fee to take Neves out of the Estadio da Luz. Neves emerged as one of the most promising talents from Benfica during the 2023/24 season. 

Joao Neves is improving in his second season

The Tavira-born midfielder helped Benfica to compete in Liga Portugal’s title race alongside Sporting CP. Despite the race not ending in their favour, Neves showed a decent development in his second senior season with Benfica. 

Neves scored three goals in 55 appearances for Benfica last season. He scored two goals more than the previous season when playing 37 matches across the competition. 

Legally, Neves is still on-contract with the club until the summer of 2028. Regarding United’s interest in himself, Neves did not rule out the possibility of him leaving Benfica. 

“Staying at Benfica next year?,” he said. “I can’t promise anything for next season. My wish at the moment is to stay at Benfica and then we will see, you never know.”

Earlier in December, Benfica manager did not buy the rumour of Neves leaving the club. “We certainly won’t let any of these players leave,” he said via Manchester Evening. “Yet we need them and no one wants to leave, so there’s no question.”

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