Benfica have strongly denied that Manchester United have a priority clause to sign midfielder Joao Neves. Reports this week have claimed that the Premier League club have an advantage over other clubs in their pursuit of the 19-year-old – but Benfica insist that is ‘false information’.
The Portuguese side say that no talks have taken place with any club over giving them preferential treatment in the race to sign Neves. A £103m (€120m) release clause reportedly exists in the player’s contracts, which might be an attractive price for one of Europe’s biggest clubs in the summer.
“Sport Lisboa e Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over its player Joao Neves,” a statement issued by the Portuguese club read.
“Under no circumstances did Sport Lisboa e Benfica enter into talks with Manchester United or any other club about this player from their formation – nor does it intend to do so – so any information that points in another direction is false.”
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