Man Utd chasing Benfica’s replacement Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez – but must pay huge transfer release clause
BENFICA star Joao Neves is on Manchester United's radar.
SunSport understands Red Devils boss Erik Ten Hag has sent his scouts to watch young midfield ace Neves.
Ten Hag has already ramped up his recruitment operations in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio being closely monitored ahead of a potential swoop in January.
Neves, 19, has been one of Benfica's stand out performers this season and is a regular starter for boss Roger Schmidt's reigning champs.
The scout attended Benfica's match against Estoril last week, where Neves started his eighth game in a row.
And his blockbuster displays have caught the eye of national boss Roberto Martinez who has called Neves up for the forthcoming match in Bosnia.
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Neves, whose career is guided by Cristiano Ronaldo's super-agent Jorge Mendes, has taken over in central midfield from Enzo Fernandez following his move to Chelsea.
He recently signed a new deal with Benfica which runs through to 2028 and has a release clause of £103 million.
Man Utd have endured a poor start to the season.
The Red Devils currently sit 10th in the Premier League table and last in their Champions League group.
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But club chiefs are set to back Ten Hag ahead of the January transfer window and next summer.
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The Dutchman has already been handed a significant amount of money to spend since taking the helm at Old Trafford last summer.
He splashed out on the likes of Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez when he arrived before adding Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount this summer.