Manchester United are considering a Liga Portugal raid this summer as they weigh up their transfer options in the hunt for new midfield personnel.
Manchester United Transfer Exclusive
Scouts were in attendance as Benfica were beaten on aggregate by Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night and one of the main areas of focus would have been the midfield, where eyes were on Joao Neves and Morten Hjulmand.
United have been strongly linked with a move for Benfica’s 19-year-old Neves, with a transfer for the midfield prodigy likely to cost in excess of £85million.
Completing such a move would hold huge significance, and would impact how the club could allocate funds for other areas of the squad that have been highlighted as needing strengthening.
The Red Devils, who are set to embark on a new era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, are expected to make up to five signings during the summer transfer window, however their overall budget is not yet known.
Regardless, Neves would undoubtedly be at the top end of their spending capability while Morten Hjulmand – who plays for Sporting – would likely be a cheaper option, with estimates that his current market value sits at around £55-60million.
Sources have confirmed to SportsLens that Hjulmand, 24, is a genuine target for the summer as they begin to whittle down potential midfield arrivals.
This comes amid Erik ten Hag‘s side being linked with moves for multiple midfielders, as they attempt to address weaknesses at the centre of their team ahead of next season.
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, and Premier League duo Joao Gomes and Amadou Onana are all under consideration to varying degrees as well.
Zubimendi however, has been heavily linked with moves to Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, while Wolves’ Gomes has been linked with Tottenham, and Everton’s Onana with West Ham United.
Sofyan Amrabat’s underwhelming loan spell at Manchester United will end after this season, while Casemiro and Donny van de Beek will probably be moved on, and even Christian Eriksen’s future is not yet totally clear.
United’s attention in Portugal is also drawn towards defenders, where Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio have been scouted extensively.
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