Paris Saint-Germain's latest transfer targets include familiar names like Osimhen and Sancho. However, 19-year-old João Neves is a new face in the mix. The young Portuguese talent has attracted interest from top clubs, with Manchester United and Manchester City reportedly keen on him, thanks to recommendations from Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. Benfica, however, insists on a €120 million transfer fee.
Reports indicate that PSG is close to securing João Neves, willing to pay an €80 million transfer fee and offer a net annual salary of €5 million, a significant increase from his current €500,000 at Benfica.
Despite his modest physical stature (1.74m and 66kg), João Neves has made a significant impact. In the 55 matches he played for Benfica last season, he started 49 times, scoring three goals and providing one assist. While not eye-catching in numbers, his strong positional sense and physicality have been key assets, with an impressive 9.6 duels per 90 minutes in the Portuguese league.
Neves' leadership qualities were evident early on, captaining Portugal's U19 team and earning a spot in the U21 squad. At 19, he participated in this summer's European Championship, showcasing his potential alongside talents like Yamal, who is the frontrunner for the Golden Boy award. Neves' presence in the top ten contenders for the award speaks to his growing reputation.
Portugal's national team coach, Roberto Martinez, has praised Neves, suggesting he has the quality to play for Manchester United. While still young and competing with seasoned players like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, Neves has proven himself as Benfica's key playmaker, averaging 103.2 touches per 90 minutes last season—the highest in the Portuguese league.
Neves' rapid rise, debuting in Benfica's first team just last April, has been remarkable. His standout performances against top teams, such as his role in Benfica's victory over Porto, where he excelled in aerial and ground duels, interceptions, and key passes, have underscored his potential.
Although labeled as "Portugal's Verratti," Neves offers more physical presence. In six Champions League group stage matches last season, he averaged four tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 1.5 clearances per game, demonstrating his readiness for top-level football.
Despite Benfica's efforts to extend Neves' contract with a modest €1 million annual salary, his agent, Jorge Mendes, has expressed interest in exploring opportunities elsewhere. Benfica, known for its talent production, has set a high bar for his release, demanding €120 million.
However, PSG's willingness to offer €80 million has brought the negotiations closer to a conclusion. This high fee reflects the high expectations placed on Neves, but also highlights the risk of such investments, as seen with previous Benfica exports like Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix, who have faced challenges living up to their potential at bigger clubs.
Copyright Notice:
Datavictory copyrights this specification. No part of this specification may be reproduced in any form or means, without the prior written consent of Datavictory.
Link:
