Manchester United are interested in a move for Joao Neves, and there are a few key figures to be aware of.
Clubs looking to deal with Benfica over the past few years have discovered it is very expensive business. Here is a look through their record sales.
Benfica record sales
- Joao Felix: £113m to Atletico Madrid
- Enzo Fernandez: £105m to Chelsea
- Darwin Nunez: £85m to Liverpool
Benfica are able to achieve high value sales for varying reasons, but one is the high release clauses they set in their players’ contracts, which sets a high bar for negotiations – and in many cases, they insist the only way the footballer will leave is if an interested club meet the price.
Joao Neves release clause
Benfica have Joao Neves under contract until 2028 and at just 19, they are in no rush to sell a player who is already a mainstay in their midfield.
Joao Neves has a release clause in his contract at 120 million Euros, equating to £105 million.
This is higher than Manchester United’s record transfer, which remains the £89 million spent to sign Paul Pogba in 2016.
Manchester United interest
Manchester United are long-term admirers of Joao Neves, first registering an interest in the midfielder in August 2023.
Portuguese newspaper Record reported in June 2024 that Manchester United had submitted a £51 million offer for Neves, which has been rejected.
It was claimed Benfica would want at least £80 million to consider a sale of Neves, while Fabrizio Romano says Benfica will hold out for his full release clause.
When Joao Neves made his Benfica and Portugal debuts
Joao Neves made his debut for Benfica in December 2022 in a defeat to Braga, he was 18 at the time.
He made his international debut for Portugal in October 2023 in a 5-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Joao Neves statistics for 2023/24
Joao Neves played 55 times for Benfica in 2023/24, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
He made six appearances in the Champions League and six in the Europa League.
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