S.L. Benfica has made the fairly rare move of denying being in “talks with Manchester United” regarding a possible deal for João Neves in a club statement.
Old Trafford has long been interested in the young midfield player; Fabrizio Romano revealed that the team sent scouts to watch Neves in Portugal in November.
The midfielder was reportedly one of United’s top targets last year, according to a report by The Peoples Person.
But prominent clubs throughout Europe respect the 19-year-old.
The Portuguese protégé is being pursued by Manchester City, Liverpool, and their Northwest rival, Real Madrid and Barcelona, two of Spain’s biggest sports teams.
With their powerful combination of skill and physicality, it’s understandable why these clubs have been placed under lockdown.
Neves, who is just 5’9″, has legs that resemble tree trunks and a low center of gravity. He does well in the challenge, ranking in the 93rd and 98th percentiles, respectively, for tackles and blocks. Additionally, he manages to score in the 89th percentile for winning aerial duels, proving that for him, height is just a number.
But what really sets him apart is his skill with the ball at his feet.
Neves’s ability to dribble, intellect, and passing range allow him to play in attacking, center, or defensive midfield.
He performs admirably on the ball and exhibits maturity beyond his years, ranking highly on every parameter often associated with elite midfielders.
It would be understandable if United supporters indulged in a decade-long fantasy of Kobbie Mainoo and João Neves pivoting in the team’s midfield.
According to reports, the club was even “set to initiate talks” with Benfica regarding a potential transfer for the 19-year-old.
According to numerous Portuguese publications, United is in “pole position” to sign Neves, and the player’s representative, Jorge Mendes, has a wealth of negotiation expertise at Old Trafford.
However, the Portuguese behemoth has vehemently denied these rumors, saying there is no truth to the claim that they have started negotiations with any team about a transfer for Neves.
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