According to Mirror, Manchester United is reportedly planning to initiate early discussions to secure the signing of Benfica midfielder Joao Neves later this year. The 19-year-old talent made a breakthrough last season with the Portuguese champions and has since become a crucial player in the midfield.

Neves’ impressive progress has captured the attention of several top European clubs, and United is said to be keen on starting “early transfer talks” to acquire the highly-rated wonderkid. Currently, Neves has a release clause worth €120 million (£103 million) in his contract, and it remаins to be seen if United can negotiate a lower price for his services in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The young midfielder has been a revelation for Benfica, showcasing his skills from the holding midfield position. This season, he boasts an impressive passing accuracy of 90%, along with notable defensive contributions such as an average of 2.4 tackles and 7.1 duels won per game. Additionally, he has completed 70% of his dribbles and recorded 6.8 ball recoveries per match.

Neves possesses the potential to become a world-class midfielder in the future, and Manchester United is fully aware of his immense talent. The club intends to establish early contact with his representative, leveraging their strong relationship with suρer-agent Jorge Mendes, who has worked closely with United in the past.

While United faces competition from other clubs vying for Neves’ signature, their chances could be impacted if they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The financial implications of missing out on the prestigious tournament may affect their transfer budget for the 2024/25 season.

Despite the potential hurdles, Manchester United remаins determined to secure the services of Joao Neves as a statement signing in the upcoming summer transfer window.