Arsenal are keen on a new midfielder this summer, and they were linked with Benfica sensation Joao Neves.
The 19-year-old was outstanding for the Portuguese giants last season, earning a call-up to the Portugal squad for Euro 2024, and attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Neves was of appeal to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta given his supreme ability on the ball as a number six, and he could have been the perfect solution to sit behind Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in a midfield three.
However, his huge asking price, with a release clause of over £100m, was enough to put Arsenal off a deal, and an official bid was never lodged.
Neves is now closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but for a significantly lower fee than what was mooted earlier on in the window.
PSG close in on Arsenal target Joao Neves for just £60m
Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that PSG are close to agreeing a deal to sign Neves for around £60m, but with midfielder Renato Sanches going the other way.
“Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on Joao Neves deal! New, positive round of talks again today. PSG want to get it sealed next week. Details of package being discussed after €70m (£60m) fee + players to include for Benfica, like Renato Sánches,” he posted on X.
“Not only João Neves to Paris Saint-Germain, deal set to be sealed in the next days and almost done. Benfica are closing in on Renato Sanches deal with player’s agent to involve former Bayern midfielder in the João Neves deal,” he added.
Renato Sanches swap deal was key for Joao Neves, Arsenal could not offer that
PSG are set to land Neves for a fee significantly lower than his release clause, but with midfielder Renato Sanches going the other way.
The 26-year-old began his career at Benfica, and was outstanding at Euro 2016 as Portugal won the trophy, with the then-teenager one of the hottest prospects in football.
Sanches then moved to Bayern Munich, but struggled, and could not find his form in a loan spell at Swansea City.
He then moved to Lille before ending up at PSG, and has still not fulfilled his potential.
Sanches will now return to Benfica in the hope that he can find his form. PSG will get his wages off the books, and have lowered their outlay for Neves as a result, whilst Benfica land a key target, and Arsenal could not have had a say in this deal.
Although Thomas Partey may depart, he was unlikely to agree to be part of a swap deal which would see him end up at Benfica, and given Sanches’ previous ties to the club, this was something PSG could throw into the deal which Arsenal had no chance of matching.
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