Manchester United had their top boys on hand in Portugal once more last weekend to watch Benfica hotshot Renato Sanches in action at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra against Academica, and were surprised to be joined by Arsenal scouts apparently there to track the 18-year-old as well according to the Daily Mail.
Both sets of scout would have been impressed by the youngster’s play which won him the man of the match award in Benfica’s 1-2 away win.
The Red Devils are hopeful that they can agree a fee with Benfica that would allow Sanches to move to Old Trafford this summer, but with Arsenal now showing their interest in the talented midfielder it could have a negative effect on the current negotiations.
As if this news was not bad enough for United we can also tell you that representatives from Bayern Munich, Southampton and PSV Eindhoven were also present at the game.
The Portuguese stars contract with Benfica runs till 2021, but he does have a buyout clause said to be close to £60 million, a figure none of the interest parties would be willing to pay for a player who is yet to be truly tested on the big stage.
He is however represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, so you know it will take a great deal of tough negotiating to get a deal done something United are probably better at than Arsenal given Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to spend his clubs money.
So as far as we here at Soccer Transfers are concerned we expect Sanches to be playing for Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford next season.
