SL Benfica midfielder Joao Neves has been attracting interest from Manchester United in recent weeks and the teenager has received a glowing report.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with the Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves, who has been nicknamed ‘Bruno Fernandes 2.0’ after his breakout season in Portugal.
The midfielder, however, has a hefty release clause believed to be around £103 million which is a figure that the Red Devils would surely not go near.
A former SL Benfica scout has given his verdict on the midfielder and whether he would live up to the hype and expectations surrounding his name if he moved to the Premier League.
Ex-scout on Neves
Speaking to Record, José Boto, who used to be the Eagles’ scouting chief, was full of praise for the outstanding deep-lying midfielder.
“I’m not surprised that all the big European clubs are paying attention, Benfica could earn a lot of money in the future with his sale. There’s no doubt in my mind that, regardless of Benfica’s season, he’ll be worth a lot at the end of the year,” Boto said.
“At his age, he combines talent with impressive dynamism in midfield and above-average maturity, something he demonstrates with every performance he makes.
“He shows that he’s ready to play at the highest level and has a huge scope for progression. He’s a player who impresses and whose faults are hard to find.”
Neves to United
The teenage midfielder has, worryingly, also been linked with a move to Manchester City by the Portuguese outlet but for now, the Red Devils have been side that are linked the most with the 19-year-old.
A midfielder of Neves’ ilk, despite his height of just 5 foot 7 inches potentially being an issue, would be superb for the Red Devils and he could be the transformative type that would bring the ball progression, ball retention and skill of a certain Frenkie De Jong, perhaps.
Whether United would be able to afford him is another matter entirely but the Red Devils would be getting a superb midfielder if Neves is signed.
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