Manchester United are eyeing up an exciting young talent but there is a catch.
Manchester United are reportedly pursuing Enzo Fernandez's replacement at Benfica, Joao Neves. Erik ten Hag wants a central midfielder in January and has identified the 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder as an ideal signing.
Neves started training with the first team after Fernandez completed his move to Chelsea in January for £106.8million. He has since established himself as a regular fixture in Roger Schmitd's squad and helped the Eagles secure their first league title in four years last season.
In total, Neves has made 31 first-team appearances in all competitions and was recently called up to the Portuguese senior national team for the first time by Roberto Martinez to play in Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. But Neves hasn't just caught the eye of his national team manager. He has also turned Erik ten Hag's head.
According to the Sun, Ten Hag has sent his scouts to watch Neves with an eye on striking up a deal with the reigning Liga Portugal champions. But signing Neves will come at a steep price.
The youngster recently signed a new deal at Estadio da Luz until 2028 which has a staggering £103m release clause inserted into his contract. Man Utd are currently hand-cuffed by financial fair play and are have had to be more cautious about their spending as of late.
In July, UEFA's Club Financial Control Body fined Man Utd £256,744 for a "minor breakeven deficit" and the club are yet to publish their financial accounts for the year ending June 2023. The Red Devil’s quarterly accounts for the three months ending December 2022 show United owed £969.9million in gross debt and outstanding transfer payments.
Enzo Fernandez left Benfica in January and Joao Neves took his place (Image: Getty)
This comes at a time in which the ongoing takeover saga continues to rage on. INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is chasing a minority share of the club with a view to securing a majority stake in the future.
According to The Times, the Glazers are considering a revised offer from Ratcliffe for 25 per cent of the club worth £1.5b that would keep the American family on board until the rest of their share was bought out.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim is looking to take full control of Manchester United but has been unable to meet the Glazers' £6b valuation for the entirety of the club so far.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
