Bernardo Silva attempts Man City hijack of Man Utd summer transfer target

Manchester City star Bernardo Silva has urged Joao Neves to join him at the Etihad Stadium despite reported interest from neighbours Manchester United - and even claimed Pep Guardiola would need no convincing over a deal.

Portuguese talent Neves has joined Silva in Portugal's Euro 2024 squad, where they have been drawn against Turkey, Georgia and the Czech Republic. The Selecao will want to improve on their early exit last time out when they fell to Belgium in the round of 16. It's a first major tournament for Neves, who doesn't turn 20 until September. The teenager has broken into the squad after an impressive campaign with Benfica, prompting a fair bit of transfer interest to boot.

With the Portuguese side qualifying for the Champions League, there have been calls for the youngster to continue his development in Lisbon. Benfica put out a statement in January denying they had held talks over a United move, and now City star Silva has made his own position clear.

“I’d tell him to go to Manchester City," Silva said, as reported by O Jogo (via Sport Witness). "It’s not easy. He’s a player who, given his success last season, has many clubs wanting him. As a Portuguese and a player I like, I’d like to see him alongside me. But I want the best for him.

“Guardiola? I don’t need to convince him. Joao Neves is already convincing because of the way he works and the energy he brings to the game. He won’t be a cheap player, it won’t be easy for many clubs to get in on the act. Let him make his decision, let it be what’s best for him. If he keeps up this energy, he has a very good future ahead of him.”

Neves, a deep-lying central midfielder, only made his senior Portugal bow in October 2023. His first start under manager Roberto Martinez came on Tuesday, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 4-2 victory over Finland.

On that occasion, Neves was joined by Vitinha and Joao Palhinha in a mdifield three. Bernardo Silva was an unused sub, as was his Manchester City team-mate Matheus Nunes, while veterans Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe weren't involved at all.

"Experience is very important during a tournament, also due to the mix of new blood in the dressing room," manager Martinez told reporters ahead of Saturday's match against Croatia. Pepe faces a race to prove his fitness in time for the tournament, while Ronaldo and Ruben Neves were given extra time off after the end of the Saudi season and aren't expected to feature on Saturday either.