Benfica has refuted claims of ongoing negotiations with Manchester United regarding a possible transfer of João Neves.
Despite speculation that United is keen on acquiring the holding midfielder, Benfica has asserted that they have no plans to sell Neves to United or any other club during this transfer window.
“Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over its player, Joao Neves,” the club statement said. “Under no circumstances did Benfica enter into talks with Manchester United or any other club about this player from the squad, nor does it intend to do so, so any information that points in another direction is false.”
Several elite European clubs, including Juventus and Bayern Munich, have been rumored to express interest in Neves.
The 19-year-old Neves, who earned promotion to Benfica’s first team in January 2023, has become a regular starter this season. Last summer, the Portugal international signed a contract extension with Benfica, tying him to the club until June 2028, and his release clause was doubled from €60 million ($65.2 million) to €120 million.
In other transfer news, Benfica confirmed the loan signing of Álvaro Fernández from Manchester United until the season’s end.
Sources indicate that Benfica will be obligated to purchase the Spanish full-back in the summer for €6 million, with an additional €3 million if Fernandez participates in 50% of the club’s matches.
United has included buy-back and sell-on clauses in the deal. Fernandez, 20, spent the first half of the season on loan at Granada in La Liga, making 13 appearances.
Although a Spain under-21 player, he has yet to feature in a competitive first-team match for Manchester United, despite starting in four preseason games.