João Neves has reportedly signed with Paris Saint-Germain, as indicated by reports on Thursday. With the transfer nearing its completion, one expert explains what type of player the French giants are getting.
Neves is set to join PSG in a deal valued at around €60 million, with an additional €10 million in potential add-ons. As part of the arrangement, PSG midfielder Renato Sanches will join Benfica on loan.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions have fended off interest from several European clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, to secure Neves’ services. The Portuguese international, versatile in various midfield positions, will now negotiate personal terms before finalizing his move to the French capital.
Football Transfers’ Robin Bairner wrote in his latest PSG Talk column which current players Neves reminds him of, helping to paint a picture of what type of player will be suiting up for PSG next season.
“The idea is that Neves will come into the team and act as a pivot in front of the defense, offering a more technical presence than the seemingly outgoing Manuel Ugarte, who is a ball-winning monster but not enough of a ball-playing talent to retain the interest of Luis Enrique,” Bairner wrote.
“Stylistically, he is comparable to Manchester City great Rodri or Arsenal’s Declan Rice, though clearly not at the standard of this pair… yet.
His numbers from the last year are universally strong and paint the picture of a player already capable of controlling games even before his 20th birthday.”
Last season, the midfielder had an impressive run with Benfica, playing in 33 league matches and staying on the field for every minute of their journey to the Europa League quarter-finals, where they ultimately fell to Marseille.
