On the occasion of the 2024 summer transfer window, the PSG seems to have the ambition to strengthen in all positions. For each sector of play, different names come back insistently and in midfield it is Joao Neves which would have been established as an absolute priority.
The midfielder of the Paris Saint Germain seems to be an eternal construction site. Since the departure of Thiago Motta In 2018, the capital club never found the player to put in front of its defense. Last summer, the Parisian decision-makers with Luis Campos in the front row set their sights on Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan international, from Sporting Portugaljoined the PSGwho paid 60 million euros, the equivalent of his release clause. The transfer, made before the inauguration of Luis Enrique on the bench Red Bluehas all the makings of a casting error today. Indeed, after a few weeks of competition for his first season under the Parisian skies, the Uruguayan seems to be donning the costume of an indisputable starter in front of the defense. However, the fate reserved for him by the Spanish technician for the rest of the season is absolutely revealing of the opinion of the former coach of The Red about Manuel Ugarte. The idea is not to draw conclusions regarding the 23-year-old player, but to highlight the distance that may exist between what the latter can bring and what Luis Enrique can expect from his defensive midfielder. In this context two points of view exist: that of the player who sees Manchester United approach the PSG to secure his services, and that of the capital club which is looking for a new player for its midfield. For the second point of view, it is therefore the name of Joao Neves which comes back insistently according to the latest press reports, which would even be the priority of the duo Luis Campos – Luis Enriqueaccording to Fabrice Hawkinsjournalist for RMC Sport.
A transfer worth it…
Joao Neves evolves to SL Benfica since the beginning of his young career. At 19, the Portuguese has been through all his training with his training club since the summer of 2017, before settling into the group and the professional world since the winter of 2023. Because in fact, in addition to the Benfi colors, the Portuguese has been an international since October 2023, after going through all the categories from U15 to U21. Currently, Joao Neves was naturally summoned by Robert Martinez in order to dispute theEuro 2024. A competition during the course he gained experience at only 19 years old, having come into play for the second match of the group stages (0-3 victory against the Türkiye), then having been a starter for the third and final match (0-2 defeat) against the Georgia.
Since his first professional steps, Joao Neves played 75 matches in all competitions with the SL Benfica, for a statistical record of 4 goals and 3 assists. In this report, the young midfielder took part in 9 games of Champions League or even 6 of Europe League. On its list of achievements, the priority target of PSG in midfield counts a Portuguese championship (2022/2023) and a Portuguese Super Cup (2023). For the capital club, the Lusitanian has the qualities required to be imagined under the orders of Luis Enrique : skillful with the ball at his feet, an intelligence in the game with and without the ball which allows him to be on the right lines when recovering with a technical quality which can make him a decisive element when restarting. In duels, Joao Neves, with his 1m74, is tough, which allows him to display an average of 6.4 balls recovered per match in the league in 2023/2024. In addition to having the qualities that seem sought after Luis Enrique for his midfield, the Portuguese is visibly the priority track of the Spanish technician and his sporting director, Luis Campos. If data is obviously not everything, certain data, drawn up by @datascout_allow us to compare Joao Neves has Rodri (ESP ; Manchester City), a true reference to the sentry post.
…But at what cost?
João Pedro Gonçalves Neves of his full name is under contract with the SL Benfica until June 2028. After his promotion with the professionals and the excellent integration and acclimatization in the big leagues, the 19-year-old saw his second part of the 2022/2023 season rewarded by a new contract signed in August 2023. This new lease was associated with a release clause of 120 million euros. An amount which may seem derisory for a young player who has not yet proven that he can boast such a market value, which is estimated at 55 million euros by the specialist site Transfer market. This is how once again, the PSG could be up for a bet. A bet which once again could cost the capital club dearly. Indeed, according to the latest press reports, the SL Benfica would, at this stage, not be inclined to negotiate for his player who has four years of contract remaining. The last runner-up in the Portuguese championship would like to keep his player, and will only release him by receiving a check for 120 million euros. It remains to be seen what role and what impact his agent could have, Jorge Mendeswho maintains excellent relations with the sports director of the PSG, Luis Campos.
On the sporting front, despite all the player’s undeniable qualities, doubts persist around Joao Neves. To illustrate this, his last outing against Georgia seems telling. At the highest level, the 19-year-old Portuguese produced a copy of a very timid player. Facing the squad of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Joao Neves played 6 duels, for only 2 won. If he touched 82 balls and displayed 93% success on his passes (65/70), the midfielder weighed little offensively with a majority of balls played without bringing danger, without taking risks. A lack of personality similar to what could display Little Vitinha during his first season at PSG. The questioning can therefore exist around the capacity of Joao Neves to be present in big moments, at the highest level, far from his comfort under the Lisbon skies.
