Fabrizio Romano: Key Man United target Joao Neves joins Paris Saint-Germain

Manchester United target Joao Neves is set to sign for Paris Saint-Germain from Benfica, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

The Italian transfer guru has given his trademark ‘Here We Go’ seal of approval to the move, worth a potential €70 million, with midfielder Renato Sanches heading in the opposite opposite direction on loan.

Tweet: “João Neves to Paris Saint-Germain, here we go! Deal being signed right now between clubs. €60m fixed fee, €10m add-ons and Renato Sanches to Benfica on loan. João set to travel to Paris for medical, had to be this week… and will be this week. First signing, done.”

Neves, 19, had reportedly emerged as a target for United earlier in the summer but their advances were rebuffed by Benfica. Officials at the Portuguese giant were adamant they would only sell their midfield starlet for his release clause – a staggering €120 million price tag.

INEOS, in their first transfer window at the helm at Old Trafford, had no interest in paying such a figure for a player with only one year of senior experience and quickly moved on to other targets in different positions.

There was likely to be a sense of regret amongst United’s recruitment team, however, given the 19-year-old’s prodigious talent and his ability to slot straight into a position of considerable weakness for Erik ten Hag’s squad.

The decline of Casemiro, and the obvious deficiencies of Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay, had left the Dutch manager in desperate need of reinforcements in the defensive midfield position – precisely where Neves has established himself at Benfica over the past eighteen months.

There is a completeness to the youngster’s game which belies his years.

He ranks highly across possession statistics, combining accurate passing with the ability to be progressive, while also demonstrating elite dribbling skills, often taking on opposition midfielders and leaving them for dead with a burst of acceleration.

Yet Neves combines these qualities in possession with equal dominance out of it. He is a fearsome ball-winner, ranking highly for tackles, interceptions and blocks. He even ranks in the 82nd percentile for successful aerial duels, despite possessing only a 5’7 frame.

Put simply, he is a complete midfielder; and it’s obvious why both United and PSG were keen to secure his services this summer. Which is why Romano’s update of the French champions having agreed a deal worth a base figure of €60 million may raise some alarm bells at Old Trafford, given it’s half the price United officials were quoted at the beginning of the window (and Renato Sanches is never a €60 million player in a million years).

Nevertheless, there may yet be light at the end of the tunnel from this deal for Neves.

United have been locked in negotiations with PSG over a move for Manuel Ugarte, the combative Uruguayan midfielder. The Ligue 1 side are demanding a price – believed to be as high as €70 million – which United have no intent on paying.

However, given PSG are extremely keen to sell Ugarte, having now already agreed a deal to sign his replacement, United may gain a stronger hand in negotiations and, accordingly, a more reasonable compromise could be struck.

Romano even revealed the French club may be open to a “loan move with an obligation to buy” – a style of deal which will United circumvent the acute pressures of financial fair play.

While there will undoubtedly be disappointment at Old Trafford over the failure to secure a talent like Neves, the Benfica starlet may still play a key role this summer in helping the Red Devils.

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