£100M Chelsea Target Sent Summer Transfer Message About Possible Move

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has urged Benfica star and CHELSEA target Joao Neves to reject a summer move

It is no secret in the media that defender Thiago Silva is very likely to leave the club at the end of the season and move back to his homeland – something that he wants to do at this stage of his career.

Joao Neves is a player that we have been linked with in recent weeks – although his massive £100 million asking price may become an issue for some chasing clubs in the summer.

However – amid all the speculation and the rumours – Matic has come out and told the very talented young man that he does not need to leave Benfica just yet and should stay put for a few more seasons.

Lyon midfielder Matic, speaking to O Jogo, said: “I think it’s too early for him to take that step of leaving. If I were him, he’d stay at Benfica for a few more years to play in the Champions League and to mature more.

‘I’m sure his time will come, so there’s no need to rush. Joao is already at a great club at the moment. I’m sure his future at Benfica will be very good. I think it’s too early to leave, but of course, in the end, it’s always his decision.”

Benfica’s vice-president, Luis Mendes, dropped a hint that one of the clubs star players could be departing the club in the summer

“Any public limited sports company is obliged to sell players,” Mendes told O Jogo.

“If we look at it, 90% to 95% of European clubs sell players to balance their accounts. Even Real Madrid themselves had to do it last year. If we want to invest in training, in new players, we have to sell players.”

When asked specifically about Neves and Silva, Mendes said: “Benfica has to sell players. What you have to analyze at the right time is what the market offers players and then make a decision. That decision has not been made today.

‘But we are under pressure to sell because we have a capital situation that allows us to accumulate a loss, albeit a slight one.”

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