{"id":1353774,"date":"2024-06-04T13:35:31","date_gmt":"2024-06-04T12:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1353774"},"modified":"2024-06-12T13:27:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T12:27:04","slug":"arsenal-transfers-joao-neves-midfielder","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/arsenal-transfers-joao-neves-midfielder\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal transfer targets: Why Gunners should sign teenage sensation Joao Neves"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arsenal<\/a> could be set to splash the cash on Portuguese starlet Joao Neves.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Gunners are believed to be on the hunt for a defensive midfielder, as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.<\/p>\n

And Neves is one of Europe\u2019s hottest prospects in that position, having starred for Benfica in 2023\/24.<\/p>\n

[dugoutvideo id=”eyJrZXkiOiIiLCJwIjoic3F1YXdrYSIsInBsIjoiZjBEVXZyWkwifQ==” partner=”squawka”]<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why Arsenal should break the bank to sign the Lisbon club\u2019s highly-rated prodigy.<\/p>\n

In-possession impact<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arsenal may need to pay Neves\u2019 reported \u00a3102million release clause to bring him to North London, but the 19-year-old looks worth every penny.<\/p>\n

He plays with a maturity that belies his youth and was a key figure for Benfica as they finished second \u2014 amassing 2,313 minutes of league action last term.<\/p>\n

The teenager is constantly looking to get on the ball, with only Sporting\u2019s Goncalo Inacio (2,701) registering more touches in Portugal\u2019s top flight than his 2,524.<\/p>\n

Os Encarnados<\/em>\u2019 No.87 is then composed when in possession, attempting (1,995) and completing (1,794) the second-most passes in the division.<\/p>\n

That is not to suggest that Neves plays it safe with his distribution, however. In fact, he ranked inside the league\u2019s top 10 players for completed passes into the final third (385).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All-round game<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neves also drives play forward by picking up the ball in deeper areas and dribbling through midfield.<\/p>\n

His agility allows him to consistently evade opponents \u2014 completing a notably high 41 take-ons across the campaign.<\/p>\n

But the five-cap Portuguese international\u2019s defensive attributes are just as impressive.<\/p>\n

He made 65 tackles and 35 interceptions last term, while ranking fourth in the Primeira Liga for possession regains in the middle third of the pitch (109).<\/p>\n

Benfica\u2019s star man is combative in the air, too, winning a commendable 42 aerial duels despite his slight 5ft 9in frame.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sought-after talent<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a remarkably broad skill set at such a young age, it is no surprise that Europe\u2019s elite clubs are clamouring for Neves\u2019 signature.<\/p>\n

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are all believed to have expressed interest, so Arsenal will face stiff competition.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the prospect of such a talented youngster plying his trade at the Emirates Stadium is a tantalising one.<\/p>\n

A pairing of Neves and Declan Rice would be among the world\u2019s best central midfield combinations, supporting the equally talented Martin Odegaard.<\/p>\n

There is little doubt that signing the Benfica star would significantly boost the Gunners\u2019 title hopes next season.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Arsenal could be set to splash the cash on Portuguese starlet Joao Neves. The Gunners are believed to be on the hunt for a defensive midfielder, as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season. And Neves is one of Europe\u2019s hottest prospects in that position, having starred for Benfica in 2023\/24….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":455,"featured_media":1353778,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Arsenal transfers: Why Mikel Arteta and the Gunners should splash the cash on Benfica and Portugal midfielder Joao Neves.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1353774","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"\nArsenal transfer targets: Why Gunners should sign teenage sensation Joao Neves | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Arsenal transfers: Why Mikel Arteta and the Gunners should splash the cash on Benfica and Portugal midfielder Joao Neves.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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