Jorge Mendes confirms Manchester United target had offers to leave Benfica

Manchester United target Joao Neves is not expected to leave Benfica in January.

Portuguese newspaper Record today published an interview with super agent Jorge Mendes, who represents Joao Neves, and it included some questions about the Benfica midfielder amid links to Manchester United.

Neves, 19, is seen as a potential replacement for Casemiro. He is currently seen as one of the brightest prospects in European football but only time will tell if United will launch a pursuit for the player.

Mendes was asked whether Benfica will hold onto Neves until the summer, or if he could be on the move in January.

The agent said: “Benfica have two players who are highly coveted: Joao Neves and Antonio Silva. Then their president, Rui Costa, will have to decide when he’s ready to consider a deal. It’s always the club’s decision. I can take the proposals and the conditions.”

Mendes was later asked whether the Benfica duo were subjected to offers.

“Yes, there have been situations in which any of them would have had offers if the door had been open,” he added. “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.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if Neves had a list of admirers and United faced still competition for his signature at the end of the season. Furthermore, we might find it more difficult to land targets if he fail to clinch one of the Champions League spots.

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