Manchester United preparing sensational swoop for £130m man: report

 Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.S. and Manchester United at Ali Sami Yen Arena on November 29, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United are currently leading the race to sign a £130m star, providing a boost to the club after their disappointing 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

Despite adding seven new players to his squad in the summer, Erik ten Hag still isn't satisfied with the make-up of his team and has submitted a four-player wishlist to the Manchester United hierarchy ahead of the January transfer window.

While there are FFP concerns for the Red Devils to consider, saving their season could result in huge buys in the winter in order to catch back up with the leading pack in the Premier League. 

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates with teammate Rasmus Hojlund after scoring the team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.S. and Manchester United at Ali Sami Yen Arena on November 29, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

United were held to a 3-3 draw with Galatasaray (Image credit: Getty Images)

And according to the Tuesday print edition of O Jogo, Manchester United want to sign Benfica midfielder Joao Neves. 

The Portuguese outlet claims that Manchester United are the "frontrunners" in the race to sign the teenage talent, though his £130m release clause could prove a stumbling block.

Benfica reportedly want to keep hold of Neves for as long as possible, with the 19-year-old contracted at the Estadio da Luz until 2028. Neves could soon agree a new deal with Benfica, too, staving off any interest from Europe's elite. 

Manchester United target Joao Neves of SL Benfica in action during the Portuguese Cup match between SL Benfica and FC Famalicao at Estadio da Luz on November 25, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Neves has been important to Benfica this term (Image credit: Getty Images)

As well as Manchester United, clubs such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Barcelona are all interested in Neves. In order to risk him not going to a rival, Manchester United might have to stump up the requisite funds to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford. 

Neves has been an integral member of the Benfica first team this season, too, starting all five games in the Champions League as well as the majority of matches in the league. 

Transfermarkt values Neves at just £17m. 

More Manchester United stories

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid and France star Antoine Griezmann. Meanwhile, a former Barcelona defender could potentially be on his way to Old Trafford.

Almost half a year after leaving Manchester United as a free agent, David de Gea could be close to sealing a move to a new club. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has defended his training methods as the injuries pile up – with Mason Mount the latest player set for a spell on the sidelines.

Is Raphael Varane poised to leave Old Trafford? The defender's relationship with Ten Hag appears to have become strained. And a bargain deal for a Serie A striker might also be in the offing.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.