Rafael Leao and Joao Neves have been mentioned as potential additions at Old Trafford
Super agent Jorge Mendes may be involved in two transactions at Old Trafford this summer as Manchester United looks to sign Rafael Leao of AC Milan and Joao Neves of Benfica, according to sources.
After Sir Jim Ratcliffe signed a deal earlier this year to purchase 27.7% of the Red Devils from the Glazers, a lot of changes are expected at Old Trafford in the summer.
Man United’s summer of transition
The British entrepreneur has already taken steps to appoint Omar Berrada, a former player for Man City, as their new CEO. He and INEOS are also in the process of reaching agreements to bring in Southampton’s Jason Wilcox as technical director and Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as sports director.
According to recent rumours, several players are now anticipating Erik ten Hag to be fired, which suggests they may also choose a new manager in the summer.
As many as 10 players are expected to depart Manchester United in the summer as part of the Red Devils’ “summer clear-out,” therefore there will also probably be a lot of changes in the playing roster.
Ratcliffe said last month that the team is aiming to focus on younger players rather than the polished product, so in addition to outs, there will probably be some ins.
Speaking on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast, Ratcliffe answered the question of whether he would prefer to sign Real Madrid-bound Mbappe for Manchester United or Tadej Pogačar for his INEOS cycling team by saying, “What I would rather do, I would rather find the next Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune to just try and buy success.”
“Isn’t it not very clever? Purchasing Mbappe. Sort of. That one may be figured out by anybody. However, it is much more difficult to identify the next Roy Keane, Mbappe, or [Jude] Bellingham.
Benfica midfielder Neves is one Man Utd target with a tonne of potential; according to Portuguese newspaper Record, the Red Devils are considering a move for the 19-year-old, with interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, and Man City.
With Manchester United being the team most strongly connected to Neves, Record notes that his departure from Benfica is now a “increasingly likely scenario.” Neves has a release clause of €120 million (£102 million).
As he gets ready for a fresh procedure, Jorge Mendes
Leao, who is also represented by Mendes, is reportedly a target for Manchester United as well. According to Spanish newspaper Nacional, his agency is “trying” to bring him to Old Trafford for a transfer fee of €175 million (£149 million).
By trying to create a transfer for Leao, Mendes is “preparing a new operation,” with the Portuguese super agent “willing to help” Man Utd upgrade their attack in the summer.
The €175 million needed to recruit Leao from AC Milan is something that Man Utd is “willing to pay,” and it “promises to be one of the soap operas of the next summer transfer market.”
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