Man Utd given green light for €235m super deal

Suraj Radia

• 11 Apr 2024 15:27 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have been given a boost in the chase for one of their top summer transfer targets after Benfica’s vice president admitted the Portuguese side are ‘under pressure’ to sell stars.

United are expected to pursue a significant revamp of their squad following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier this year and Benfica’s Joao Neves is one of the players thought to feature high on the club’s shopping list, while defender Antonio Silva has also been linked with a move.

Both players have release clauses in excess of €100 million and Benfica, who have sold stars such as Darwin Nunez and Enzo Fernandez for big money in recent years, are bracing for another one of their prized possessions to leave this summer.

READ MORE: Man Utd to offload FIVE big-name stars in summer shakeup

“Any SAD is obliged to sell players,” club vice president Luis Mendes told O Jogo. “If we look at it, 90 to 95 per cent of European clubs sell players to balance their accounts. Even Real Madrid themselves had to do it last year.

“If we want to invest in training, in new players, we have to sell players. Benfica has to sell players. What you have to analyse at the right time is what the market offers players and then make a decision. That decision has not been made today.

“But we are under pressure to sell because we have a capital situation that allows us to accumulate a loss, albeit a slight one.”

Benfica likely to hold United to release clauses for Neves and Silva

Neves is believed to be United’s top target to strengthen in midfield, with the 19-year-old having been extensively scouted by the Premier League side after breaking into Benfica’s first team in the back end of last season.

The Portuguese international has made 28 league starts this season at defensive midfield and is renowned for his all-round game, which has drawn the attention of teams such as Liverpool and Manchester City alongside United.

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Silva, meanwhile, has also been a focal point in Benfica’s side and the 20-year-old is a target for United’s defence, although any move will likely depend on whether stars such as Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane can be sold.

Despite Benfica conceding the need to sell players, the Portuguese outfit have rarely been willing negotiators for their stars and often point to the release clauses of their players when approached by interested clubs.

With Silva’s clause believed to be around €105m and Neves’ higher at €130m, the likelihood of United signing both may be slim, although talks are expected to be held with Benfica as the summer window approaches.