Manchester United have reportedly seen a second offer for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves rejected by the Portuguese giants.
The 19-year-old is believed to be at the top of Man United's shortlist for an engine room addition in the summer window, having enjoyed a rapid rise to fame in his homeland over the past couple of years.
Neves has already made 75 appearances for Benfica, scoring four goals and setting up three more, while winning one Primeira Liga crown and one Portuguese Super Cup before turning 20.
Thanks to scoring three times and providing two assists in 55 matches for the Eagles in 2023-24, Neves was called up to Portugal's Euro 2024 squad and has already played twice at the tournament, starting their 2-0 loss to Georgia in the group phase.
Talk of Neves moving to Old Trafford has quietened somewhat in recent weeks, as the Red Devils would likely have to pay a club-record fee to bring the 2004-born starlet to the Premier League, but they are said to retain an interest.
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Benfica 'turn down' £59.3m Man United bid
According to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, Man United recently submitted a bid worth €70m (£59.3m), an increase on their first offer of €60m (£50.8m), which was swiftly rebuffed.
Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain apparently came forward with an identical £59.3m bid for the Portugal international, but both clubs were swiftly knocked back by Benfica, who are under no pressure to sell on the cheap.
Last August, the Eagles agreed a new deal with Neves and inserted a release clause worth €120m (£101.7m) into the contract, which does not expire until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
The report claims that Benfica would be receptive to offers hitting the €100m (£84.7m) mark, but they would only be prepared to let him leave if a club meets his nine-figure release clause.
Should Man United decide to trigger his buyout option, Neves would become the Red Devils' most expensive signing of all time, surpassing the £89m that Paul Pogba commanded in 2016.
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However, given that Erik ten Hag's side are supposedly working with a starting budget of just £50m before sales, it is extremely difficult to see them bowing to Benfica's price demands.
It would not be a shock to see PSG pay north of £100m to bring Neves to the Parc des Princes, though, while Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has urged his compatriot to snub the Red Devils and head for the Etihad instead.
What cheaper alternatives could Man Utd sign?
The easiest option for Ten Hag would be to keep Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat on the books permanently, but it remains unclear whether the Moroccan has done enough to secure a permanent move.
Adrien Rabiot - whom Man United tried and failed to sign in 2022 - is now officially a free agent after running down his Juventus contract, but talks are ongoing to keep him in Turin.
Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte and Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich might be viable options, but both would also eat up a large chunk of Man United's transfer kitty.
Ben Knapton
