Man Utd transfer: Ratcliffe to ‘personally approve’ stunning record signing to kickstart Old Trafford revolution
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new co-owner of Man Utd, is reportedly set to give the green light to the club-record signing of Benfica star Joao Neves ahead of the summer transfer window.
INEOS founder Ratcliffe completed his deal to purchase a 27.7 per cent stake in Man Utd last month, with the 71-year-old assuming control of football operations within Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe has already made his presence felt inside the club, appointing Omar Berrada as the club’s new chief executive in a major coup from local rivals Manchester City.
Man Utd have also made a move for Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth, who was recently placed on gardening leave by the Magpies after signalling his intention to leave.
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With results on the pitch still inconsistent under manager Erik ten Hag – whose side currently sit a distant sixth in the Premier League table, eight points adrift of the Champions League qualification places – the need to upgrade on the pitch is unavoidable.
And a report by the Mirror claims Benfica midfielder Neves has been identified as a key target ahead of the summer transfer window, with Ratcliffe giving his approval to a bid of more than of £100million.
If completed, the deal would exceed the club-record £89m fee United paid to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016.
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Man Utd have been heavily linked for Neves after he emerged as a key player in defensive midfield, making 33 appearances in all competitions so far this season, with the Tavira-born star already winning three caps for the Portugal national team.
The 19-year-old’s current contract, which is set to run until the summer of 2028, is said to contain a release clause of £103m.
Man Utd’s interest led to an extraordinary development in January, when Benfica released a club statement denying talks with the Premier League club.
It read: “Sport Lisboa e Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over its player Joao Neves.
“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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