Transfer news for Man United: PSG “agrees” to a £59 million deal, dealing a blow to the Red Devils’ midfield.

Joao Neves, a target for Manchester United, has reportedly agreed to a €70 million (£59 million) agreement with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 19-year-old, who came up via Benfica’s academy, has established himself as one of Europe’s top midfield targets.

In his 75 competitive games with Benfica’s first squad, he has already contributed three assists and four goals.

Neves has nine caps for the Portugal national team, having played in the most recent European Championship in Germany. He assisted Benfica in winning the 2022–23 Primeira Liga.

After making an impression for both his club and his nation, Neves became a target for some of the top clubs in Europe, such as PSG and Man United.

Man United fails to win the Neves race.
With Casemiro and Scott McTominay’s futures up in the air, the Red Devils are trying to strengthen their midfield options.

But now that PSG has reportedly won the race, they will need to think about other options besides Neves.

The Ligue 1 winners and Benfica have secured a deal for Neves to join for €70 million (£59 million) with bonuses, according to L’Equipe.

Benfica was convinced by PSG to accept a contract that is less than the player’s rumoured €120 million (£101 million) release clause.

According to the rumour, Renato Sanches will go the other way, joining his former team on a season-long loan. Sanches is a product of the Benfica academy.

Why might Man United gain from Neves’ transfer?
Although PSG could have prevailed in the competition to sign Neves, Man United may benefit from the impending transfer in their pursuit of a new midfield player this summer.

Manuel Ugarte, a midfield player for PSG who may leave the French team after just a year, is a target for the Red Devils. He was formerly at Sporting Lisbon.

Man United and the Uruguayan have already reached personal terms; however, PSG and Man United have not yet reached a transfer agreement.

Ugarte, who is expected to fall further down the hierarchy at the Parc des Princes, is expected to depart, so they will be hoping that Neves’s arrival will hasten his departure.

In order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations, Man United might have to sell before they can continue their pursuit of Ugarte.