Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign 18-year-old Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves, who has been compared to Bruno Fernandes.
The Portugal Under-21 midfielder has grown in stature since making his debut for the Portuguese club side. He registered 20 first-team appearances last season in what was a breakthrough campaign for him at the Estadio da Luz.
According to a report by The Sun, Man United have held some discussions with Benfica over a potential deal for the youngster, who is keen to play in the Premier League.
Any move for Neves may have to wait twelve months, though, because Benfica don’t want to sell the 18-year-old just yet. However, things may change if the reigning Portuguese champions exit the Champions League after the group stage.
According to reports, Man United are not the only top Premier League side interested in the player. Chelsea are also interested in the teenager and have made their own approach.
But the Blues are said to be behind United in the race, given their poor relationship with Benfica.
Per the report, the way Chelsea handled last January’s pursuit of £107m midfielder Enzo Fernandez may have made Benfica reluctant to deal with them.
Meanwhile, Manchester United were transformed when they signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020. The Portuguese is the club captain, having scored 65 goals in 188 games for the club.
However, Neves has a different profile to Fernandes, playing usually as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder, with tackling and interceptions a strength.
Yet his profile and skillset is exactly what United need at the moment to help Casemiro, who looked out of depth in United’s opening two Premier League games against Wolves and Tottenham.
