Joao Neves has successfully passed his medical and is set to become the second summer signing of the
Paris Saint Germain in the next few hours. The capital club has secured his services for 70 million euros (including 10 in bonuses). Almost the same price as that spent on Manuel Ugarte last year.
Unlike the Uruguayan, the Portuguese international does not appear to be a casting error. “He is an intelligent midfielder, a 6 who can easily evolve into an 8, capable of projecting himself into the finishing zoneconfided the Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, in the columns of L’Equipe. But what really defines him is his ability to almost always be well placed. He is very skillful with both feet, with balance and vision of the game that allow him to protect the ball. He uses the short pass more than the long one, but he is only 19 years old.
Joao Neves, future cornerstone of the Parisian midfield?
Joao Neves already has nine caps for Portugal despite being just 19 years old. “To find out if he was really ready to come with the A (Portugal) team, I went to watch Benfica-Porto (1-0, September 29, 2023) and he was elected man of the match. The stronger the opponent, the higher the pace, and the better the decisions he makes on the pitch.”assures the Portuguese technician.
The new recruit from the Paris region will probably be able to take part in PSG’s two friendly matches on 7 and 10 August. First in Austria, against Sturm Graz, then in Germany to challenge RB Leipzig. The Red and Blue will then travel to Le Havre on Friday 16 August, in
advanced match of the first day of Ligue 1.
