According to the latest report from Portuguese media outlet O JOGO, Premier League champions
Manchester City football club
has set its sights on Portugal's rising star
João Neves
, listing him as a potential reinforcement target. The move was made against the backdrop of the possible future departure of De Bruyne, the centerpiece of the team.
Manchester City's interest in Neves is not a spur of the moment one, but has been observed and evaluated over a period of time. Should De Bruyne decide to leave the Etihad Stadium, Neves would be seen as a priority to fill the void. Earlier reports had mentioned that De Bruyne had not completely ruled out a move to the Saudi Arabian league, prompting City to start looking for a suitable alternative.
The report also reveals that Benfica could sell Neves at the end of the season due to the recent lackluster performances of Benfica defender Antonio Silva and the club's need to maintain financial balance. The bid for the young talent is reportedly expected to exceed €100 million, showing his huge potential and market value.
The battle for Neves has become even more intense with the addition of Manchester City to the mix.
Manchester United Football Club
Paris Saint-Germain and Neves have also shown strong interest in him. For Neves, being able to attract the attention of so many top clubs is undoubtedly an affirmation of his ability, and his future destination has also become a hot topic of discussion among fans and the media.
Whether Manchester City will succeed in signing Neves, and whether the Portuguese starlet will be the ideal successor to De Bruyne, are questions that will be answered in the next transfer window. For Neves himself, whichever team he ends up joining will be an important milestone in his career.
