Parent Club Rejects Man Utd Opening Bid For Top Midfield Target

Manchester United have already submitted a bid to sign Portuguese midfield prodigy Joao Neves but the proposal has been rejected by Benfica.

As per today via The Record, Man Utd have tabled an offer worth £51m (60 million euros) for Neves.

However, Benfica have turned the bid down and have demanded a much higher fee close to Joao Neves release clause from the Red Devils.

The renowned Portuguese news source have mentioned that Benfica want to keep the bar close to the release clause of 120 million euros.

Therefore, they are willing to listen to offers of at least £85m (100 million euros) in order to sell their prized asset.

Benfica president, Rui Costa, completely rejected the offer from Man Utd and has made a clear message to the market: ‘he will only give up Joao Neves in exchange for a 3-digit check worth millions.’

The 19-year-old is arguably the best teenage No.6 in the world and the 20-time English champions must raise their proposal if they are to have any chance of securing his services for next season.

Benfica release statement on Man Utd’s interest in Joao Neves

Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha recently claimed United had secured an advantage in the race to land Neves. The two clubs held talks and have agreed a deal for United left-back Alvaro Fernandez to join Benfica on loan with the move now made permanent, and this report claimed that the negotiations also saw United seal first refusal on any future transfer for Neves.

Such a right would mean Benfica would have to inform United of any accepted bids for Neves and the Portuguese side would also have to give United the chance to match the offer before proceeding with a sale.

Benfica, however, went public to insist there was no truth to the report.

“Benfica denies the existence of any right of first refusal over its player Joao Neves,” a statement read.