Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Sports group are hoping Erik ten Hag can guide Manchester United to Champions League qualification this season, with pressure mounting on the manager to keep his job.
One of the key reasons for that will be so that United can attract their key targets.
According to a report in the Sunday Mirror, as per Sky Sports, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to approve a record-breaking offer of just over £100m to secure the signing of Benfica’s teen sensation Joao Neves this summer.
Such a signing would kickstart United’s spending spree, though it is understood that selling players is among Ineos’ priorities in the coming months.
It would be a statement signing – spending over £100m on a player at the age of 19 – but he is highly thought of in Portugal and is already an established player in the senior national team.
Neves only broke into Benfica’s first-team last season but he is already renowned as one of Europe’s brightest prospects.
This season Neves has recorded two goals and two assists in 24 league games.
United should be looking to make additions in midfield because players like Casemiro are not performing at the required standard on a weekly basis. That was clear against Everton on Saturday, even though United won 2-0 against a poor Sean Dyche side.
Do you think United should be splashing £100m+ on a 19-year-old midfielder when there are so many gaping holes in the team? Let us know in the comments section if you think this money could be spent better elsewhere.
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