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Manchester United have reportedly withdrawn from the race for SL Benfica’s Joao Neves.
Erik ten Hag’s side are currently searching for options to bolster the midfield as the futures of players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat are still unclear despite pre-season training already being underway.
United are reported to be in contact with Paris Saint-Germain for a move for Manuel Ugarte but have also shown a long-standing interest in Portuguese midfielder Neves.
Interest is high in the player due to his fine form in the Portuguese league and also his refusal to sign a new deal with the Eagles.
What’s more, Benfica are also increasingly coming under pressure to sell as it seems unlikely that they will be able to move on defender Antonio Silva this summer, leaving Neves as the more viable source of income.
The Red Devils have reportedly already had a €70 million offer for the teenager rejected and have informed the Lisbon giants that they will not bid any higher for him.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo report that Paris-Saint Germain are the club that retain the strongest interest in the 19 year old as “Luis Enrique sees João Neves as an important piece to increase his team’s central power and hopes to count on the player as soon as possible.”
According to the report United “have already decided not to proceed with an astronomical offer and preferred to attack Manuel Ugarte from PSG, which could further fuel the Parisians’ appetite for the Eagles’ midfielder.”
United’s cross city rivals Manchester City are also said to harbour an interest in the player but “the Citizens have not yet decided to go hard for the player, leaving the way free for the French champions.”
With the side from Old Trafford clearly pursuing numerous players such as Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Jarrad Branthwaite and Leny Yoro on top of Ugarte, it is unconceivable to think the club could also reach the €100 million that Benfica are currently demanding for Neves.
The Red Devils will be hoping that PSG’s determination to sign Neves makes it easier for them to release Ugarte quickly and at a realistic price.
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