Manchester United are facing competition from PSG in the race to sign teenage Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, but they can use that to their advantage as they look to secure their next summer transfer.
United are close to sealing a deal for Dutch international forward Joshua Zirkzee, with the 23-year-old is set to become the first signing of the summer after he was granted permission to travel to Manchester after the end of the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign on Wednesday night.
Zirkzee had a €40m (£34m) release clause in his Bologna contract, but United have instead agreed to pay €42.5m, with the payments staggered over a three-year period. Had they opted to trigger the release clause, they would have had to pay it in full.
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Once a deal is done for the former Bayern Munich youngster, their attention will turn elsewhere as they continue to strengthen their side ahead of the new season.
One priority area for United is upgrading their options in defensive midfield and they have been linked with a move for Neves. The 19-year-old has become a mainstay in Benfica’s midfield and was part of Portugal’s EURO 2024 squad.
He is tipped to become one of European football’s leading midfielders and, as such, Benfica are not planning to part with him for a cut-price fee. United have been monitoring Neves’ progress but, according to reports in France, PSG are ready to go ‘all out’ to secure his signature.
While United may be loathed to miss out on Neves, it could hand them an advantage in their bid to sign an alternative defensive midfield option. Reports have suggested United have lodged a £38m bid for PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte, and should the French champions seal the arrival of Neves, it could soften their stance towards selling the Uruguayan to United.
If United can concede ground in the race to sign Neves, it could hold the key to securing the signature of Ugarte, who is four years his senior and has won trophies in France and Portugal, instead.