Benfica namecheck Manchester United in Joao Neves transfer statement

Portuguese giants Benfica have responded to reports Manchester United have opened talks with their midfielder Joao Neves this week ahead of January move

Benfica have moved to deny reports Manchester United have entered into talks with Joao Neves over a possible transfer.

Since last year, United have been linked with the 19-year-old defensive midfielder. His impressive performances in Portugal have earned Neves a good reputation with many seeing him as a potential Casemiro replacement in the future.

The teenager has become integral to Benfica and has made 29 appearances so far this season. Reports in Correio da Manha this week suggested United had intensified their interest in Neves.

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They claimed the Reds had held positive talks with Benfica recently and had managed to grow their relationship with the club. Recently, Alvaro Fernandez had his loan stint at Granada ended so he could join the Portuguese giants and this decision was cited as evidence as to why United were now considered to be in the driving seat for Neves.

However, Neves' club has taken the unusual step of responding to the transfer rumours. On Tuesday, they wrote in an official statement: "Sport Lisboa e Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over its player Joao Neves.

"Under no circumstances did Sport Lisboa e Benfica enter into talks with Manchester United or any other club about this player - nor does it intend to do so. Any information that points in another direction is false."

United will be on the lookout for a new midfielder sooner rather than later with Casemiro having been slated down as a player the club would allow to sell if the right bid came in. Currently, Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen are establishing themselves as the first choice midfield pairing.