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Sir Jim Ratcliffe Determined To Boost Ten Hag’s Squad After Man United 25% Acquisition
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent acquisition of a 25% stake in United has positioned him to oversee football operations at the club.
Many changes are bound to happen at Old Trafford soon as Omar Berrada, a prominent executive from Manchester City, is slated to assume the role of United’s CEO at the conclusion of this season, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also determined to boost Erik Ten Hag’s squad in hunger for trophies.
According to Cristiano Ronaldo’s former representative, Jorge Mendes, Joao Neves, a transfer target for Manchester United, may depart from Benfica this summer.
Sportxparte understands that Neves, a 19-year-old Portuguese talent, has made a name for himself as one of the most exciting young midfielders in European football. He played a crucial role in Benfica’s league title win last season and has been recognized as the Primeira Liga’s Midfielder of the Month three times this season.
Neves’ involvement with Portugal’s senior team has caught the attention of Manchester United. It is believed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who will oversee football operations at Old Trafford once his takeover is approved by the Premier League, is a fan of this emerging star.
Although Benfica recently stated that Neves is not for sale this month, there is a possibility that he could leave the club at the end of the season. Ratcliffe is expected to assemble a new squad at Old Trafford this summer, following the appointment of a new CEO.
Neves, whose contract includes a €120 million (£103 million) buyout clause, is represented by Mendes. The agent has confirmed that Benfica will need to make a decision regarding the sale of Neves and fellow young player Antonio Silva, 20, at the conclusion of the season.
“Their (Benfica’s) president Rui Costa will have to decide when he’s ready to consider a deal,” MIRROR quoted Mendes to have told Portuguese outlet Record.
“It’s always the club’s decision. I can take the proposals and the conditions.”
When asked whether Benfica have received offers for either Neves or Silva since the transfer window re-opened, Mendes replied: “Yes, there have been situations in which any of them would have had offers if the door had been open.
“The players will stay at Benfica until the end of the season, that’s for sure, and then Rui Costa will decide what’s best to do. And then, as with all the other players: meetings, talks and, when the time is right, the decision will be made.”
Ratcliffe has identified Neves as a possible player to transfer, and talks with Benfica about a summer move are expected. However, Benfica, who are known for their tough negotiating tactics, may not be willing to let go of the young player unless his significant release clause is triggered.
In the previous year, Chelsea had no choice but to activate Enzo Fernandez’s release clause of £106m in order to secure his services from Benfica. The negotiations between the London club and their counterparts in Lisbon during the transfer window were challenging, resulting in Chelsea paying a higher price for the Argentine player.
Benfica’s statement on Neves read: “Under no circumstances did… Benfica enter into talks with Manchester United or any other club about this player from their formation – nor does it intend to do so – so any information that points in another direction is false.”
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has also revealed: “We are halfway through the season and we have big goals. We certainly won’t let any of these players leave. We need them and no one wants to leave, so there’s no question. I talk to them every day, all of them.”
