Manchester United are willing to pay £61million to sign their long-term replacement for Casemiro – according to reports – with Joao Neves from Benfica said to have been flagged up as that player.
The latest transfer rumours from Man United amid speculation over Joao Neves, Casemiro and Jesse Lingard.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60 "Revealed a contract worth 61 million pounds to replace Casemiro 1")
Casemiro is struggling with form at the beginning of the season
The highly-rated teenager plays as a defensive midfielder for the Portuguese side. He has earned rave reviews for his performances since breaking into the first-team setup last season.
Casemiro was brought to Old Trafford for £60million from Spanish champions Real Madrid last summer. However, the Brazilian powerhouse, 31, has struggled to conjure up his best form so far this campaign and – in any case – the club are thought to have one eye on the future.
United signed Sofyan Amrabat on loan in the same position this summer. We understands they could target another midfield player among four key signings initially pencilled in for next summer.
Joao Neves was chosen as Man Utd’s top target in the transfer market
Neves, 19, has made 12 appearances for Benfica this term while totting-up 825 minutes. He put pen-to-paper on a contract extension in August which committed his future to the club until 2028.
Proposed interest from Old Trafford has been mooted previously, but reports from Spanish outlet Nacional claim United are now ready to sign him off as a concrete target. However, with other top European clubs lurking, Benfica are in a position of power and it has been claimed they will demand £61million for him.
Joao Neves is highly appreciated by experts for his development potential
Elsewhere, reports from GOAL indicate Al-Ettifaq are ready to offer former United player Jesse Lingard a contract. Lingard, 30, left Old Trafford for Nottingham Forest after 22 years with United last summer.
However, the forward spent only one season at the City Ground, and has been training with the Saudi Pro League side over the last few weeks. However, there are still a few issues to overcome as, while Lingard is a free agent, he could have to wait to officially sign due to league restrictions when it comes to overseas players.
Al-Ettifaq are managed by ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
