Manchester United has reportedly upped their offer for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, according to Man Utd News.
The Premier League giants are on the lookout for a top-tier defensive midfielder this summer. Although they've shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte, but they are actively exploring alternatives.
According to Correio da Manha, United recently put forward a £59 million bid for Neves, only to see it rejected by Benfica.
This was their second attempt, following a previous offer of £51 million for the promising young talent.
Benfica's president, Rui Costa, remains firm on his valuation of Neves, standing by the £102 million release clause. However, he has not entirely dismissed the possibility of a compromise.
While Ugarte has reportedly expressed interest in a move to Manchester United are yet to submit a formal bid for the PSG player. Instead, they seem more focused on Neves, having already made two informal offers.
At just 19 years old, Neves is considered by some to be a more strategic acquisition compared to the 22-year-old Ugarte.
Statistically, both players showcase impressive passing accuracies of 90% and 91%, respectively. They are both adept at tackling and ball recovery.
However, Ugarte’s defensive record shows he was dribbled past nearly twice as often as Neves last season.
Neves, praised for his composure and positioning, appears to be a more reliable option despite his younger age.