This case is definitely full of twists and turns. While the Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported bad news this morning, it seems that white smoke is now in order. Indeed, even if the board of directors of the Portuguese club took place yesterday evening during which the situation of the 19-year-old midfielder was discussed, his arrival in Paris is no longer in doubt. However, the directors had decided not to accept PSG’s offer as currently presented, namely €60 million + €10 million in bonuses. Benfica thought they had made an effort by agreeing to negotiate under the player’s release clause, understanding that the latter would not extend his contract and was keen to sign for PSG.
As we wrote a few days ago, the arrival of João Neves is considered to be soon acquired and the first preparations to welcome him during the week had already been launched. Indeed, the capital club was in the process of setting up the process for the player’s arrival in Paris, at the beginning of last week. Proof that the transfer was now imminent. Sports advisor Luis Campos was in any case particularly optimistic. Thus, João Neves, aged 19, had a brilliant season with Benfica, where he established himself as a starter in midfield, in a double pivot with Kökçü. Gifted with very good technique, he protects his ball particularly well, knows how to play under pressure and makes an impact despite his small size.
The details are known
According to information from the Spanish daily ASthe 19-year-old Portuguese will fly to the French capital this Friday morning to undergo his medical examination in the afternoon before signing his contract until 2029, which comes with an annual salary of 5 million euros, as we exclusively revealed last week. The operation will amount to around 70 million euros, and with Renato Sanches included in the operation according to AS. After several weeks of insistence, PSG has already been able to finalize the last details with the Lisbon team and the arrival of the Portuguese is imminent. According to A BolaJoão Neves visited Seixal, the Lisbon club’s training center, last Friday to say goodbye to his teammates before his future transfer. The transfer of the Portuguese international (9 caps) to the City of Lights is only a matter of hours. While the Lisbon club faced Feyenoord Rotterdam for the Eusébio Cup, the 19-year-old midfielder was not on the team sheet.
Last season, João Neves was the backbone of Benfica. Master in the center of the field, he was a fundamental piece of the Benfiquistas system. The native of Tavira had missed only one match, which made him the sixth most used piece by Roger Schimdt. A very clean pivot (four yellow cards and no expulsions in 2023-24), the Portuguese also stood out for his grinta and speed. Very efficient in terms of passes (89%) and good at recovering (6.39 recoveries per match in the league), the young Benfica player is also not afraid to provide his offensive support. His excellent season with the Lisbon club also led him to the Portuguese national team, where he still plays minor roles.
