Manchester United ready to make £100m move for Benfica star in transfer ratified by Sir Jim Ratcliffe: report

Joao Neves in action for Benfica against Rangers in March 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United could be set to smash their transfer record this summer with a move for Benfica sensation Joao Neves, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly ready to give the green light for a transfer in excess of £100 million.

United's new minority shareholder is in charge of football operations at Old Trafford and big changes are expected at the club, starting in the summer.

Off the pitch, a taskforce will decide whether to press ahead with a new stadium or make improvements to the club's current home. And on it, United could have a new manager to replace Erik ten Hag.

There will also be a big focus on player recruitment as the 13-time Premier League champions look to assemble a squad capable of challenging rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Rejuvenating the midfield is a priority, with the futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen uncertain, while Sofyan Amrabat is unlikely to be signed on a permanent basis.

United have been strongly linked with Neves, who has a release clause of €120 million (£102m) and is considered one of the brightest emerging talents in Europe.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Ratcliffe has given the green light for United to sign the 19-year-old, who is under contract at Benfica until 2028.

Neves, who has been capped three times by Portugal, recently said he was "focused on Benfica" when asked about a possible transfer, but refused to rule out a move in the near future.

"I promise to do my best in every training session, in every game, and I think that is one of my greatest qualities," he said last month.

"I'm focused on Benfica and even more so on [Thursday's] game, which is the next one. I will do my best in every game and in every training session."

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Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.