10 months ago
171 Manchester United are leading Liverpool and other clubs in the race to sign Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.
The January transfer window is expected to be an interesting one for many clubs. Liverpool and Manchester United could do with some help, and Neves is reportedly of interest to both clubs.
Manchester United are leading Liverpool in the race to sign Joao Neves
Benfica midfielder Joao Neves is set to be a wanted man in 2024.
The 19-year-old is one of the most talented young players in Portugal at the moment, and he is said to be on the radar of multiple clubs in Europe.
O Jogo claim this week that Manchester United are leading the race for Neves, while Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Barcelona are all said to be interested as well.
However, a move in January is unlikely to happen as the report claims that Neves is in talks with Benfica to extend his contract.
That, however, doesn’t mean an exit is ruled out in the summer. Benfica just want to protect their player and potentially increase his release clause to £130 million. It is currently set at £104 million.
Neves is one of Benfica’s lowest-paid players at the moment, and his current contract does not expire until the summer of 2028.
Liverpool and Man United need new midfielders
Joao Neves is a defensive midfielder by trade, and both Liverpool and Manchester United could do with reinforcements in that position.
The Red Devils have Sofyan Amrabat at the moment, and it has to be said that his time at Old Trafford hasn’t been a great one. They also have Scott McTominay, but Erik ten Hag has publicly claimed he wants to use him in an advanced position.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have just Wataru Endo in that number-six role. He has been brilliant recently, but they could do with another defensive midfielder too.
Neves is a player with massive potential, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool and Manchester United will go head-to-head for his signature in one of the next two transfer windows. Bruno Fernandes has already claimed he’d like him to move to Old Trafford.
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