Man Utd in talks over Bruno Fernandes 2.0

Stuart Telford

• 31 Aug 2023 15:28 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have held talks with Benfica over a wonderkid who has been dubbed 'Bruno Fernandes 2.0' in his homeland, according to a report.

United have been busy in the summer 2023 transfer window - despite the ongoing takeover saga - with Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount arriving at the club from Atalanta, Inter Milan and Chelsea respectively.

Erik ten Hag is pushing for more arrivals, though, with Altay Bayindir set to join from Fenerbahce as Onana's understudy, while a loan bid has been lodged for Mount's former Chelsea teammate Marc Cucurella in light of Luke Shaw's injury.

READ: Joao Neves' FootballTransfers profile

And now the Red Devils have lined up Fernandes' long-term successor, according to The Sun.

United 'have held talks' for Bruno 2.0

"Manchester United have held talks with Benfica over the signing of wonderkid Joao Neves," report Steve Brenner and Tony Robertson. "Dubbed 'Bruno Fernandes 2.0', United hold a very strong interest in the 18-year-old.

"SunSport understands the two clubs have held some discussions over a possible deal. However, United may need to wait 12 months to land Neves, whose dream is to play in the Premier League. The Portuguese outfit are not planning to sell Neves until next summer."

READ: The Mount stat that should have every Man Utd fan worried

Neves doesn't turn 19 until next month but he has already racked up 24 appearances for Benfica's first team, chipping in with a goal and two assists - the latter of which came in a 5-1 win over Club Brugge in last season's Champions League last 16.

He is currently valued at €6.5 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm but it is understood Benfica would be looking for significantly more than that for player still under contract until June 2028.

Chelsea also hold an interest in the Portugal U21 international, but United are said to be the favourites for his signature, even if they have to wait for it.