BENFICA RESPOND TO MAN UTD'S IMPROVED OFFER FOR JOAO NEVES AFTER TWO NEW BIDS

Benfica have rejected Manchester United’s latest offer for midfield star Joao Neves, according to reports in Portugal.

United are hoping to sign a new holding midfielder this summer and while they have enquired into a deal over Paris Saint-Germain star Manuel Ugarte, they are long-term admirers of Neves.

In June, it was reported United made an opening offer of €60million (£51m) for the 19-year-old, a bid swiftly rejected by Benfica.

Correio da Manhã now report a new offer of €70m (£60m) has been rejected. United and PSG are said to have seen identical offers turned away by the Portuguese giants.

Neves has a release clause of €120m (£105m) written into his contract, the same figure Chelsea were eventually forced to pay up in order to prise Enzo Fernandez away from Benfica in January 2023.

Neves replaced Fernandez in their midfield and been a mainstay in the side ever since, currently with the Portugal squad at Euro 2024.

Benfica remain determined to hold onto their prized asset but could be willing to negotiate on a price following the European Championship.

United are the only Premier League side make an offer for Neves so far but both Chelsea and Arsenal have also shown interest in the Portuguese starlet.

With Erik ten Hag signing a contract extension until 2026 and Dan Ashworth now in place as sporting director, United are expected to step up their transfer business in the coming weeks.

The club are currently in talks with Bayern Munich over a deal to sign defender Matthijs de Ligt, hopeful of wrapping up a deal worth £40m.

United also remain interested in Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite but are not willing to meet the Toffee’s £70m valuation for the centre-half.

A number of players are expected to be moved on with Casemiro among them, leaving a space in midfield to be filled this summer.

United also hope to cash in Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho with the futures of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also uncertain.

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2024-07-04T13:54:59Z dg43tfdfdgfd