Manchester City considering move for player linked with Manchester United - Reports
Manchester City are reportedly in the fray to sign Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, a Manchester United target. The teenager reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with Portugal, playing two games.
Neves is coming off a spectacular 2023-24 campaign with Benfica, contributing three goals and two assists in 55 games across competitions. All five goal contributions came in 33 games in the Primeira Liga, where the Portuguese side finished second, 10 points behind winners Sporting CP.
Despite being contracted with his club till 2028, Neves has attracted the attention of top clubs across Europe, including the two aforementioned Manchester sides. TBR has reported that the Red Devils have submitted a £59 million offer for Neves.
However, OJogo (as per TBR) has reported that City are also in the fray for the talented teenager. The reigning four-time Premier League winners are preparing for life without midfield talismans Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, who have both been linked with exits from the Etihad.
However, TBR has reported that United's offer falls far short of Benfica's £100 million valuation of Neves, so the bid is expected to be rejected. Meanwhile, there's no mention of a bid from City for the player, despite reported interest.
A look at how Manchester United beat Manchester City in FA Cup final to end 2023-24 season
Manchester United ended a largely forgettable 2023-24 season on a high by beating defending champions Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final. First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo did the trick for Erik ten Hag's side.
Although Manchester City pulled back the arrears late on through Jeremy Doku three minutes from time, it was too little, too late, as the Red Devils won their first FA Cup in eight years.
In the process, they also denied their neighbors a slice of English football history, as Pep Guardiola's side narrowly stopped short of becoming the first side to win consecutive domestic doubles.