Benfica will not consider bids below €120m (£102m) for Arsenal target Joao Neves, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian reporter claims that the Gunners, Manchester United and Manchester City are all keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old but the expectation is that he will remain in Portugal this summer:
🚨🦅 Benfica stance on João Neves is very clear: €120m release clause or no plans to negotiate for his exit this summer.
Man United, Arsenal and Man City scouts have been monitoring João for months, Benfica hope to keep him at the club. pic.twitter.com/gS4bmYYpHz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2024
Fans on X believe Arsenal will not even consider a move for Neves unless his asking price comes down significantly:
Thats crazy
— Arsenal Football Club (@Tidzyy) June 4, 2024
Welp, we move on lol
— Jay Era (@THE_ReaLJamaL) June 4, 2024
That’s insane bro
— martin (@martin560784212) June 4, 2024
Zero chance they’re spending that.
— Josh ginsburg (@Joshg042076) June 4, 2024
Way too expensive!
— Delvaux 𝕏 (@DelvauxOvaC) June 4, 2024
Benfica has mastered the dark arts of selling overpriced mids
— Afc_Kai (@supremeduke2) June 4, 2024
What are they smoking in Portugal ???
— happy gunner 🔴⚪️ (@Ogunliadj) June 4, 2024
Who could Arsenal target instead of Neves?
The Gunners are interested in signing a midfielder but manager Mikel Arteta needs to make a decision on where he sees Declan Rice playing.
If the club record signing is seen more as a No. 8, the club have to pursue a No.6. Alternatively, if they want Rice as the lone holder, they will need to buy someone who can play further up the pitch.
Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi are known to be on the club’s radar but neither deal is believed to be likely this summer. Alternatives, such as Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz or Valencia’s Javi Guerra, may need to be looked at.
