Man Utd get Arsenal SHOCK over €120m star as two 'ENDORSED' targets revealed

Robin Bairner

Updated: 5 Jun 2024 05:19 CDT
4 min read

Arsenal are ahead of Manchester United in the race for Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves, according to a respected journalist.

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The Red Devils had been linked with a €120 million move for the teenaged central midfielder, but the Portugal international is more likely to find himself moving to the Emirates, football transfer news expert Ben Jacobs reports.

While Arsenal have “seriously looked” at the possibility of signing the 19-year-old Neves, Jacobs says that Benfica’s asking price puts him out of Man Utd’s budget.

Current ETV

João Neves

M (C), DM (L)

Benfica

João Neves

M (C), DM (L)

Benfica

ETV Range

€50.7M - €84.4M

Instead, he highlighted two potential central defensive arrivals at Old Trafford.

“There could be a possibility for Joao Neves, although I’m told that Arsenal rather than Manchester United are the club that have seriously looked,” Jacobs explained.

“The big money coming out of Portugal doesn’t tally right now with what Man Utd have right now to be in a place a formal bid. I’m not going to discount the reporting of others, but I’ve not heard anything too concrete or advanced at this stage.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, are unlikely to prioritise spending such a fee on Neves this summer.

FootballTransfers, though, exclusively revealed that manager Mikel Arteta has a record pot of money to spend, meaning that a big move should not be discounted.

Who are Man Utd’s targets?

Man Utd, who still have no clarity over who their manager will be next season, have instead outlined two alternative additions, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.

“Manchester United will be looking at Branthwaite and trying to understand the price. If it’s £70 million plus, it’s difficult,” Jacobs said.

“I think Todibo is a possibility. People will say: ‘That’s Ratcliffe negotiating with Ratcliffe, can’t he just do a deal?’ But that’s still going to cost in the region of €40m. That might be seen as value compared to Branthwaite, but Branthwaite is the one they really want.”

In addition to this, Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise is reiterated as a target.

“As I’ve said many times, the two endorsed targets are Branthwaite and Michael Olise. But those two are £150m odd, but it’s unlikely they’re going to get those two without significant outgoings,” Jacobs said.