Benfica looking to up Ruben Dias release clause to £80m with new contract to stop Man Utd getting defender on cheap

BENFICA are desperate to avoid losing Ruben Dias on the cheap - so are trying to secure him on a new contract to include an £80million release clause.

The defender, 22, is a transfer target for Manchester United who are determined to bring in a new centre-back this summer.

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According to reports in , Benfica are working hard to get Dias to pen a new deal.

His current release clause is €66m - around £60m - but the Eagles are keen to bump that right up to €88m - almost £80m.

Dias is being tipped as one of the next big things in Portuguese football - alongside team-mate Joao Felix.

Manchester United are interested, as are Juventus and Atletico Madrid.

The latter have lost Lucas Hernandez this summer, with the Frenchman joining Bayern Munich for £68m.

United were reportedly told to pay £52m for Dias in May but Benfica have realised they can certainly get more than that for him.

Dias actually played against United twice in the 2017/18 Champions League.

The Red Devils beat Benfica 1-0 in Portugal and then 2-0 in Manchester but Dias impressed in both games.

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