Man Utd & Arsenal ready to offer €60m for Joao Neves - but Benfica tell Premier League giants to DOUBLE their bids for teenager

Neves' future has become a pressing issue for Benfica, with the club facing intense interest from two of England’s football giants. Despite the enticing €60 million (£51m/$65m) offers from both Manchester United and Arsenal, Benfica remains steadfast in its valuation of €120m (£102m/$130m) - which is the release clause of his player, according to Portuguese outletAbola.

Neves' stock has continued to rise after an impressive season that saw him earn a call-up to the European Championship. The Eagles are keen to retain their young star for another season but the mounting interest from Premier League clubs suggests that the Portuguese outfit will face sustained pressure in the coming months. Both Arsenal & United are poised to make further attempts to secure his services, but Benfica are aware that matching the €120 million release clause might be a stretch for any interested party.

In an effort to secure Neves' future at the club, Benfica has considered offering a new contract that would increase both his salary and the release clause to €150 million (£127m/$162m). Despite these efforts, negotiations have stalled. The proposed new salary, while higher, still falls short compared to some of the top earners at the club and does not adequately reflect Neves' growing importance. For now, the door to further negotiations remains open, though a breakthrough seems unlikely. As it stands, Neves continues to earn approximately €500,000 per season under a contract that runs until 2028.

The coming weeks will be crucial as Benfica navigates the complexities of keeping a burgeoning talent amid significant external interest. However, the reality of the modern transfer market means that a lucrative offer could eventually test their resolve with United & Arsenal likely to be persistent in their efforts.