In order to prepare for the second half of the 2023–24 season, Mikel Arteta hopes to continue his title-challenging trajectory, and Arsenal is one of many teams looking to add to their squad during the January transfer window.
After just 12 Premier League games, the Gunners have already had a great deal of injuries, which has put the manager and Edu in a position to once again evaluate the depth of talent at the team.
The north Londoners are rumored to be interested in a number of names, with Arteta reportedly hoping to bolster his team’s midfield in particular this winter, according to a Mirror story.
Joao Neves is an Arsenal transfer target.
Joao Neves, a young sensation from Benfica who is dominating in defensive midfield in Liga Portugal, is reportedly “seduced” by a number of clubs, including Arsenal.
The Gunners and Liverpool are reportedly impressed by the 19-year-old’s ascent to prominence with the Eagles, according to a story from O Jogo that Paisley Gates relayed. Nevertheless, it won’t be simple to find his qualities.
The Portuguese winners enjoyed the fruits of their January 2022 sale to an English team when Benfica signed Enzo Fernandez for £106.8 million from Chelsea; Neves’ fee was expected to be comparable.
The teenager has a €120 million (£105 million) release clause, according to O Jogo, and the club has made it clear that this is the most amount they will permit their star player to leave for. So why is he so valuable?
Arsenal’s potential acquisition of Joao Neves
The Portugal international, who loves to be on the ball, leads all midfielders in the 2023–24 Liga Portugal in touches per 90 (97.07). He has a lot of accomplishments to his name.
U23 scout Antonio Mango praised Neves as a “sensational” asset to his hometown club, and talent scout Jacek Kulig described the teen’s playing style as a “box-to-box phenomenon” in his scouting report.
Kulig calls the 2004-born dynamo a “perfect midfielder,” noting that he can hold his own in physical confrontations and stay “one step ahead of the opposition” when it comes to advancing the play.
The young player’s indications are positive for Arsenal, especially in light of the player the Gunners are looking for to round out their midfield.
There was optimism that Declan Rice, who signed in the summer, would succeed with Thomas Partey. However, the Ghanaian player has had trouble staying healthy, and there are growing rumors that his future in north London may be in jeopardy.
Neves may be the ideal candidate to play with the £105 million player in the future, as indicated by the table above. His capacity to develop and serve as an anchor will place the Benfica talent in an advantageous position to accompany Rice in the engine room pivot at the Emirates.