Manchester United poised to land Joao Neves and Antonio Silva as Benfica face financial pressures | OneFootball

Manchester United are in prime position to land long-term transfer targets Joao Neves and Antonio Silva this summer as Benfica look to find a resolution to their financial issues.

With the likes of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen ageing and Scott McTominay proving to be more effective in advanced positions, United will be looking to sign a long-term partner for Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.

Joao Neves has been strongly linked with United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly willing to spend over £100 million to bring the Portuguese playmaker to Old Trafford.

In fact, it has been reported that the club could break its transfer record in order to sign Neves in the upcoming transfer window.

United’s midfield is not the only area where reinforcements are needed. With Lisandro Martinez currently sidelined, Raphael Varane proving to be highly injury-prone, and the likes of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans ageing, a long-term solution at centre-back appears to be desperately needed.

Antonio Silva has been identified as a top defensive target for United this summer.

The Peoples Person also relayed that United appear to be well-positioned to sign Silva.

The club’s likelihood to sign both Silva as well as Neves may be boosted by Benfica’s ongoing financial troubles, the club’s website shared.

In an article from Benfica’s official website, club vice president Luis Mendes admitted that players could be sold in order for the club to overcome its cash flow issues.

The club’s issuance of €35 million in bonds in April is only adding to this pressure, and this has increased the likelihood of a United raid in the summer.

“If we want to invest in new players, in our training, we naturally have to sell players,” Mendes explained. “Benfica has to sell players, but what needs to be analyzed at the right time is what the market offers to these players, to player A, B or C, and then make your decisions.”

Given that both players have attracted the interest of numerous elite European clubs, United will need to move fast if they are to have any hope of signing Silva and Neves.

Both young talents have what it takes to build long-term futures at Old Trafford.

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