Rui Costa confirmed on Saturday that Benfica had received an offer for Joao Neves and that negotiations were currently underway for the 19-year-old midfielder to leave. The Luz president did not reveal the name of the club or its value, but Paris Saint-Germain have offered in the region of €70 million. As far as we can confirm, the two clubs are close to an agreement and the transfer will take place in the next few days.
“I never said that Joao Neves only left due to the release clause. [120 milhões]. What I can say is that there is an offer, I will not say where things stand, but at the moment Joao Neves is a Benfica player. “I understand that the members want to know the fate of the main team, but there are ongoing negotiations, as with the other players, and let me book it,” said the Benfica president during a visit to the club's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Rui Costa did not talk about future signings, nor did he confirm whether Renato Sanches and Joao Felix were in the plans to return to Luz, but he did confirm that Di Maria would continue for another season: “What we want are good players. All these names were just press speculation, part of the market momentum. But there are ongoing negotiations, the Benfica team will not remain as it is today. There will be exits, and maybe there will be entrances. But I guarantee that it will be very competitive for us to attack on all fronts. We already acknowledge that last year we failed to achieve what we wanted. It is over, we have to learn from what we did not do well and aim for the future. The only guarantee I leave is that we will have a very competitive team. Di Maria will continue at Benfica.”
Rui Costa had previously revealed, during his speech at the Casa de Benfica in Geneva, that regarding television rights, Benfica “will conclude the agreement during this season which will allow between 2026 and 2028 to have an adequate budget for sporting, social and economic activities.” “The greatness of the club,” he added, “Benfica is the largest Portuguese brand worldwide and will assert its rights.”
Sportingly, he pointed to the batteries for the future. “We are creating all the conditions for a good season. We want to score 39 goals, be champions and regain the title that was ours. Total commitment to guarantee 39 is what I ask of everyone!”, promised the Benfica captain.
Read here Rui Costa's full speech at the Casa de Benfica in Geneva.
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