Manchester United have had an opening bid rejected for Benfica teenager Joao Neves.
The Portuguese side have turned down a proposal worth in the region of £50m for Neves, who is regarded as one of the most promising talents in European football.
Neves broke into the Benfica team on a regular basis last season and scored three times in 55 appearances, earning inclusion in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year for 2023-24. He was named as the division’s ‘Midfielder of the Month’ on five occasions last season.
The 19-year-old was also included in the Portugal squad for Euro 2024 and has won nine caps for the national team since his senior debut in October 2023.
The Evening Standard have revealed that United have had a bid of £50m rejected by Benfica. Paris Saint-Germain have also seen a £60m proposal for Neves turned down. Neves has a release clause of around £100m in his contract in Lisbon and Benfica will demand a figure close to that fee to consider a sale.
Manchester United are working in the transfer market to strengthen ahead of the new season and are close to finalising the arrival of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. Negotiations are also advanced with Bayern Munich over the transfer of Matthijs de Ligt.
