Manchester United’s strategies for the upcoming summer transfer window will start to form under the new leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ineos Group and Ratcliffe successfully acquired a 25 percent stake in United earlier this year, granting them control over the footballing activities at Old Trafford. There were no new acquisitions made in January, but it is anticipated that there will be a significant change when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.
United is already being associated with prospective new acquisitions that could be included in Erik ten Hag’s team. The Reds recruitment staff is said to be considering the addition of a new midfielder, as well as expressing interest in a striker.
Reports indicate Manchester United is among a number of clubs expressing interest in acquiring the services of Joao Neves, a midfielder from Benfica. The midfielder initially became a member of the Primeira Liga club through their academy and has advanced through their youth system to become an essential player of the first-team squad.
Neves is being considered as a potential acquisition by the Reds this summer, as they evaluate their possibilities for the upcoming transfer window, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. Nevertheless, reports indicate that Neves has garnered interest from Manchester City and other undisclosed Premier League clubs for a potential signing.
Romano asserts that Neves’ contract includes a release clause above £100 million, and the sole means by which Benfica would permit the departure of the midfielder this summer is by triggering said provision. In January of the previous year, the Portuguese club transferred Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea when the Stamford Bridge club fulfilled the £106.8 million release clause.
“Regarding potential acquisitions in the midfield for Manchester United, the competition is still ongoing for the highly talented young player Joao Neves from Benfica. He has been closely observed by both Manchester United and Manchester City,” stated Romano.
Benfica would strongly demand that the release clause of €120 million (£103 million) is activated, making the transaction difficult. However, Premier League clubs have shown interest in terms of scouting.
United is rumored to have a strong chance of signing Neves in January, especially after allowing Alvaro Fernandez to join the Portuguese team on loan with a potential purchase option. However, Benfica has officially stated that they do not have any preferential rights over their player Joao Neves.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica categorically denies engaging in discussions with Manchester United or any other club regarding this player, and has no intention of doing so.” Any contradictory information is false.
