Bruno Fernandes has told Manchester United to sign fellow Portugal star Joao Neves. United scouts have already checked in on the player on numerous occasions this season with the 19-year-old midfielder attracting interest from some of the top European clubs.
Reports in Portugal earlier this week claimed United have upped thier interest in Neves and are ‘fully convinced’ he will become a future superstar. And now Fernandes has urged United decision-makers to make a move for the Benfica wonderkid.
“I would love to have him at United, he has top quality! But it’s João choice,” Fernandes told Sport TV Portugal. “He’s great player but it depends on the coach ideas! He will have a great future, in United or somewhere else.”
United boss Erik ten Hag could be on the lookout for a new midfielder in the near future with Casemiro expected to depart in the next six months amid strong interest from Saudi Arabia. However, signing Neves will not be straightforward as Portuguese outlet Record claim that Benfica are in ‘no rush to sell’ and the player himself is prepared to stay at the club for a little while longer before making a big move to a European giant.
Several top clubs are monitoring his progress, though United and Juventus have been credited with concrete interest. Benfica, who commanded a then world-record £106.8m fee to send Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea last January, could pull in a similar fee for Neves, having recently tied him down to a new deal which runs through to 2028 and contains a £103 release clause.
The 19-year-old only made his debut for Portugal alongside United captain Fernandes last month in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina and could feature on Sunday against Iceland. Casemiro, meanwhile, is said to be unlikely to leave United in January but a question mark has been raised about his future amid an underwhelming campaign and some controversial comments from Ten Hag.
The United boss reportedly upset some of his squad by publicly admitting he took off the Brazilian last month against Brentford because he ‘wanted more football’.
His comments only ramped up speculation surrounding the future of the midfielder, who has since been ruled out until Christmas with an injury.
Despite being vital for the team last season, United have not felt his absence and have gone on a decent run and climbed up to sixth in the Premier League table. Ten Hag’s side will have the chance to move closer to the Champions League spots when they take on Everton next Sunday.
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