Liverpool join Manchester United in race to sign player with €120m release clause

Manchester United need to invest heavily in the squad this summer but whether that becomes a reality is a question for the club’s new operators. 

INEOS, run by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have acquired 25% of the club and assumed responsibility of the football operations at Old Trafford, giving him full power over United’s market activity.

As things stand, it looks like Erik ten Hag will remain in charge beyond this season but how he will work in unison with Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrana remains to be seen.

In the last two summer transfer windows, Ten Hag has been able to earmark targets himself and instruct the club to get deals done. The success rate has been questionable.

This summer, revamping the midfield seems to be high on Ten Hag’s list of priorities. Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as an exciting prospect and a player to build around at the club but Ten Hag’s options in that area are not widespread.

Joao Neves, the Benfica and Portugal midfielder, has emerged as one of Europe’s leading talents this season and a move to United has been discussed in the press.

Neves is a regular for Benfica and recently made his first-team debut for Portugal, with the teenager likely to be named in their EURO 2024 squad.

Now, it is being claimed that United’s interest is rivalled by another Premier League club, with Liverpool joining the race to sign Neves.

That’s according to the Portuguese outlet O Jogo, via Sport Witness, who say that Liverpool are now in the frame to compete for his signature alongside United and Chelsea.

Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also named as potential interested parties. As far as the Premier League interest goes, Liverpool will be the only club to offer Champions League football next year.

Neves has made 27 appearances for Benfica in the league this season, starting 22 of those games.

United will, most likely, have to sell some of their unwanted stars before initiating a spending spree. Jadon Sancho is the most valuable asset but he could rejoin Borussia Dortmund on another loan.