Arsenal scout Manchester United targets several times

Benfica’s Joao Neves runs with the ball during the Portuguese League soccer match between SL Benfica and GD Chaves at Luz Stadium in Lisbon on March 29, 2024. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking to YouTube channel The United Stand on Monday, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Manchester United are not the only Premier League club interested in Benfica’s 19-year-old Joao Neves this summer.

Romano says Neves is “highly regarded” by Manchester United, but Arsenal have also sent their scouts to watch him on several recent occasions.

The journalist adds that Neves will be very expensive and it will not be easy to sign him in the upcoming transfer window.

GUIMARAES, PORTUGAL: Joao Neves of Portugal gestures during the friendly match between Portugal and Sweden on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images)

Neves has been included in Portugal’s squad for the Euros, so his stock could be set to rise further as the summer wears on.

Unlike many other countries who initially named a longer preliminary list of players, Portugal went straight to naming the final 26-man squad, with Neves among those named.

The teenager made his debut for Portugal last October and racked up five international caps over the course of the season.

Although he has only spent 40 minutes on his country’s pitch so far, he is yet to start a game.

Marseille’s Faris Moumbagna fights for the ball with Benfica’s Joao Neves during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final soccer match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and SL Benfica at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on April 18, 2024. (Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/ AFP via Getty Images)

It’s a very different story at club level, with 49 of Neves’ 55 appearances for Benfica in 2023/24 being starts.

Operating in a defensive midfield role, the youngster has accumulated over 4,000 club minutes. It is no surprise that he is attracting the attention of top clubs and reports suggest that Benfica will hold out on his €120m (£102m) release clause.

That would be close to a club record transfer fee for Arsenal, eclipsing the £100m they spent on Declan Rice last summer – but falling short of the £105m potential total cost of the Rice deal with bonuses.

To see Arsenal spend that kind of money on a 19-year-old would be a surprise.