The agent of Manchester United-linked Joao Neves has hinted that the midfielder could leave Benfica in the summer.
Reports emerged last week claiming that the Red Devils are ready to open talks with representatives of the Portuguese giants over a move for the highly-rated 19-year-old.
However, Benfica released a statement denying such rumours and insisted that they have no interest in selling Neves to Man United or any other club.
Since the big-money departure of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea in January last year, Neves has developed into a first-team regular under Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt and has become one of Europe's most sought-after midfielders.
Neves, who primarily operates as a deep-lying midfielder, has made a total of 50 senior appearances for the Eagles across all tournaments, including 26 starts so far this season, and he has been named Primeira Liga's Midfielder of the Month three times already since the start of the campaign.
Although Benfica have publicly expressed their desire to keep hold of Neves, the player's agent Jorge Mendes has suggested that a summer transfer could be on the cards for the midfielder as well as defender Antonio Silva, who has also been linked with Man United among a number of other top European clubs.
«Their (Benfica's) president Rui Costa will have to decide when he's ready to consider a deal,» Mendes told Portuguese news outlet Record. «It's always the club's decision. I can take the proposals and the conditions.»
Asked whether Benfica have received offers for either Neves or Silva since the January transfer window re-opened. Mendes said: «Yes, there have been situations in which any of them would have had offers if the door had been open.
»The players will stay at Benfica
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