Arsenal scout Manchester United target multiple times | OneFootball

Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Joao Neves on multiple occasions recently, but he’ll be a costly signing this summer.

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

Speaking to The United Stand YouTube channel on Monday, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Manchester United aren’t the only Premier League club with an interest in Benfica 19-year-old Joao Neves this summer.

Romano reports that Neves is “super appreciated” by Manchester United, but Arsenal have also sent their scouts to watch him on multiple recent occasions.

The journalist adds that Neves will be very expensive, and it won’t be at all easy to sign him in the upcoming transfer window.

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

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

Unlike many other countries who have initially named a longer preliminary list of call-ups, Portugal have jumped straight to naming their final 26-man squad, and Neves is among those called up.

The teenager made his debut for Portugal last October, and he went on to rack up five international appearances over the course of the season.

Though he’s only spent a total of 40 minutes on the pitch for his country so far, yet to start a match.

Marseille’s Faris Moumbagna fights for the ball with Benfica’s Joao Neves during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg football 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 racked up well over 4,000 club minutes. It’s no surprise that’s drawing attention from some top clubs, and reports have suggested Benfica will hold out for his €120m (£102m) release clause.

That would be close to a club record transfer fee for Arsenal, esclipsing the initial £100m they spent on Declan Rice last summer – but not quite reaching the total £105m potential cost of the Rice deal with bonuses.

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