Club president rejects United’s improved £59m bid for ‘vital’ star, but door is not ‘closed’ to ‘negotiations’

Manchester United have reportedly seen an offer for Joao Neves swiftly rejected by Benfica, who are standing firm in demanding the midfielder’s €120 million clause.

Indeed, fresh reports from this morning’s newspapers in Portugal claim that both the Red Devils and Paris Saint-Germain submitted bids worth €70m (£59m) to Benfica. However, it’s going to take almost double that if they want to prise the starlet from his side anytime soon, hence Rui Costa’s swift refusal.

Costa views Neves as ‘vital’ to Benfica’s project already, which is just a testament to the impact the 19-year-old has had after just one full season as a starter in Lisbon.

Read more: Fulham lead four Premier League clubs in race for trusty United midfielder

Neves’ summer exit from Benfica can’t be ruled out

His scintillating showings have led to him becoming an established Portugal international, too; Neves made his debut under Roberto Martinez last October and was included in their Euro 2024 squad this summer, where he’s featured twice in his nation’s journey to the quarter-finals.

As such, Benfica president Costa is thought to be ‘uncompromising’ in his stance over selling the young prospect, yet it ‘does not mean that he has closed the door to negotiations’, according to Correio de Manha, which first broke the story.