Paris Saint-Germain sealed their second big transfer of the summer window. After signing keeper Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar for $22 million, they have signed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/benfica-tv-schedule/">Benfica</a> midfielder Joao Neves for a whopping $77 million deal. Neves chose <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/psg-tv-schedule/">PSG</a> over <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a>, inking a five-year deal that will keep Neves in France until 2029.



“Luis Enrique’s philosophy is the one that I was looking for, and that’s also why I chose PSG,” the 19-year-old <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1820467879609032858" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beamed</a>. “I really enjoyed our conversation. He’s a fantastic person, and I’m really happy to be here.”



<h2>Joao Neves is one of the world’s best players</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240805_WST_520635_PSG-Neves-1200x675_185af3f1.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-520656" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Neves is a Benfica academy prospect and broke into the first team in the 2022/23 season. He came off the bench often after Enzo Fernandez left for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>, meaning most of his time in Benfica was spent as part of a double pivot. He broke out last season, playing in all but one of Benfica’s matches throughout the season. Neves made 55 appearances for Benfica, scoring three goals and two assists.



Neves has been praised for his versatility on the pitch. Despite standing at 5’9, he’s an excellent defender and holds his own in physical duels. He builds up play beautifully, dropping as deep as his box to receive the ball and progress it. He’s agile, intelligent, and a thrilling dribbler. He holds the potential to be one of the game’s best box-to-box midfielders and weighs in as a generational talent.



Erik ten Hag and United were the first names to pop up with the Benfica youngster, negotiating a fee of up to $100 million. Liverpool, Arsenal, and PSG followed. PSG outbid all of their competitors for Neves and agreed to pay $64 million for Neves, with a potential $11 million in add-ons. United will <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/40718985/transfer-talk-man-united-ramp-interest-psgs-ugarte" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">look</a> toward PSG Manuel Ugarte to resolve their midfield woes.



Neves, who made two appearances for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/portugal-national-team-tv-schedule/">Portugal</a> at Euro 2024, will wear the number 87 shirt for PSG. Midfielder Renato Sanches, who recently wrapped up a season-long loan with Roma, will rejoin Benfica on a loan as part of the deal. The five-year contract includes a $131 million release clause; if activated, Neves would become PSG’s most lucrative transfer ever.



<h2>PSG signed Neves to revitalize midfield</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240805_WST_520635_PSG-Neves-1-1200x675_5f292fb1.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-520657" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/PSG-Neves-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Under Enrique, PSG has leaned on a three-man midfield of Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and home-grown talent Warren Zaïre-Emery. Ugarte and Carlos Soler also saw some playing time in the midfield but sat out big matches. 



Ugarte is inches away from joining United for around $75 million, while Fabian Ruiz could join Arsenal as they search for a <a href="https://paininthearsenal.com/posts/where-went-wrong-emile-smith-rowe-arsenal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">replacement</a> for now-Fulham midfielder Emile Smith Rowe. Soler could leave for Real Sociedad. If all of these rumors materialize, it would leave PSG with Vitinha and Zaïre-Emery in the midfield.



PSG completing their deal for Neves is good not just in the field but also in business. They can be more aggressive in negotiations for Ugarte and Ruiz, and they can comfortably pay $50 million for Frankfurt center-back William Pacho.



PSG now has some semblance of stability after signing Neves. Although his preferred position is at the 6, Neves also doubles as a central midfielder. We could see him pair up with Zaïre-Emery and Vitinha. Neves could also come off the bench for a player like Kang-in Lee or Ruiz if he stays.



Photo: Imago.

PSG seals $77 million deal for highly-rated teenager

PSG shelled out $77 million to sign Benfica youngster and elite midfielder Joao Neves. Neves is arguably one of Europe's best midfielders.

PSG seals $77 million deal for highly-rated teenager - World Soccer Talk

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to shatter transfer records at Manchester United as the club seeks to bolster their midfield.



Former Real Madrid stalwart Casemiro’s decline since leaving the Santiago Bernabeu has been rapid and dramatic. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen isn’t getting much love as Erik ten Hag no longer favors the Dane. In a flash, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>‘s starting midfield from the previous season is gone.



Neither Mason Mount nor Scott McTominay have shown much promise as central midfielders. Unbeknownst to most, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo is keeping it together.



No one should be surprised to hear that United will be shopping for a midfielder this summer. It will ideally have to be a youthful one, to ensure they avoid a similar situation in the next two years.



It would seem that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ratcliffe-eyes-massive-man-united-squad-overhaul-this-summer-20240222-WST-491054.html">Sir Jim Ratcliffe</a> is aware of this. Thus, with a transfer budget of more than $108 million, the Manchester United owner is planning a spectacular move to sign Joao Neves, a prodigy for Benfica.



<h2>Ideal partnership with compatriot Fernandes?</h2>



United have kept a careful eye on the 19-year-old midfielder all season long, and he has now emerged as a major target. He has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time. What’s more, he is certainly one of the most sought-after commodities heading into the summer transfer season.



Several times this season, the Red Devils reportedly sent scouts to observe him, according to the Portuguese source <a href="https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-betclic/benfica/detalhe/manchester-united-tem-mais-de-100-milhoes-de-euros-joao-neves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Record</a>. They will be closely watching Neves’ performance in the highly anticipated derby match against Sporting, as part of their heightened scouting efforts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240403_WST_499089_Joao-Neves-Manchester-Unitedf-1200x670_ccc11d29.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-499130" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Joao-Neves-Manchester-Unitedf-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Joao-Neves-Manchester-Unitedf-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Joao-Neves-Manchester-Unitedf-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Joao-Neves-Manchester-Unitedf.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



They plan to pair Neves with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ratcliffe-to-take-first-victim-at-united-star-offered-to-la-liga-side/">Bruno Fernandes</a>, a fellow countryman, and form a formidable midfield combo. The club’s pursuit of Neves is strategic; they want to add energy and skill to their midfield, so they can compete at a higher level.



After Neves’ outstanding season, United scouts were unanimous in their praise and put him at the top of their transfer wishlist. Despite being only 19 years old, the midfielder has quickly become an integral part of Benfica’s starting lineup.



<h2>Manchester United may break its transfer record on Joao Neves</h2>



The report adds that the Red Devils are reportedly prepared to pay a pretty penny to get Neves. They have allegedly set aside more than $108 million to acquire the midfielder this summer. Especially, after making his acquisition a “priority” for the club.



Benfica aren’t going to compromise much on their player. Still, United is steadfast in giving the Portuguese club a run for its money with an outrageous offer.



The Premier League giants set a record for the highest transfer price in 2016 when they paid $113 million for Paul Pogba. However, the article continues to state they would spend more than that.



There is a $129 million release clause in the midfielder’s contract, according to an earlier <a href="https://www.ojogo.pt/2131683764/bolas-paradas-do-benfica-joao-neves-e-arma-no-laboratorio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">O Jogo</a> article. Liverpool and Chelsea are also tracking the midfielder. Therefore, this transfer saga may develop into a battle between English rivals. 



His value is too high for the Portuguese club to risk selling him cheaply. Reportedly, they are optimistic that the player and the club can reach a new agreement that would raise his release clause to $161 million.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Man United to break bank in pursuit of Portuguese jewel

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to shatter transfer records at Manchester United as the club seek to bolster the midfield with Joao Neves.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "joao neves"

News

PSG seals $77 million deal for highly-rated teenager

News

Man United to break bank in pursuit of Portuguese jewel