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Bernardo Silva has urged Benfica and Portugal midfielder Joao Neves to snub Manchester United and instead join him at Manchester City.
United have identified Neves, 19, as a key summer transfer target, with reports in Portugal claiming they have already failed with a £51m bid for the teenager.
The Red Devils, who slumped to an eighth-place finish last season, are keen to sign a replacement for Casemiro following the Brazilian’s difficult second season at Old Trafford.
Casemiro’s relationship with current United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly strained after he was left out of last month’s FA Cup final against Manchester City and he continues to be linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Neves has a release clause of £105m written into his contract but Benfica will reportedly consider offers of around £85m for a player set to feature for Portugal at Euro 2024.
Manchester United were thought to be leading the race to sign Neves but Silva has urged his international team-mate to join him at Man City instead.
Asked about speculation linking Neves with a move to Old Trafford, six-time Premier League winner Silva said: ‘I told him to go to Manchester City!
‘It’s not easy. He’s a player who, due to the success he had last season, has many clubs that want him.
‘As a Portuguese and a player I like, I would like to see him by my side. But I want the best for him.
‘I don’t need to convince him. João Neves is already convincing, with the way he works, with the energy he brings to the game.
‘It will be easy for many clubs to enter the race. Let him make his decision, let it be the best for him. If he continues with this energy, he has a very good future ahead of him.’
Neves is expected to start for Portugal at Euro 2024 alongside Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Speaking in March, Fernandes insisted the highly-rated youngster was ‘ready’ for a ‘big jump’ to a top European club.
‘I don’t know if United rumours are true, but I know he is ready for that big jump,’ he said.
‘He is an excellent player, he’s with the national team. That’s also why the big clubs are after him.’
But ex-Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic believes it is ‘too early’ for Neves to leave Benfica, a club he also played for.
‘Joao is already at a big club at this point. I’m sure his future at Benfica will be very good,’ Matic said. ‘I think it’s too early to leave, but of course, in the end, it’s always his decision.’
Neves has made 75 appearances for his boyhood club Benfica – including 55 across the 2023-24 season – and is becoming a regular for Portugal with six caps since his international debut last October.
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