Be cautious of the potential Enzo & Darwin situation! Manchester United could face the risk of being exploited by Benfica.
Benfica has gained recognition for their astute transfer dealings, particularly by setting high yet reasonable release clauses for their top performers. This approach has proven lucrative for the Lisbon giants in recent years.
Enzo Fernandez was acquired by Chelsea in January 2023 for €120 million following an impressive World Cup display. Similarly, Liverpool secured a €100 million deal for Darwin Nunez six months earlier, despite his €150 million release clause. However, both players have failed to justify their inflated fees, leading to disappointment among the clubs and fans alike.
Fernandez, a talented midfielder and World Cup winner, has struggled to match the performance expected of a player valued at €120 million. Similarly, Nunez, while a dependable forward, has not lived up to his €100 million price tag. According to FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) algorithm, both players are currently valued at just €51.8 million.
With Chelsea and Liverpool feeling shortchanged by Benfica, Manchester United now face the risk of encountering similar issues. The Red Devils have expressed strong interest in Joao Neves and Antonio Silva, who have staggering release clauses of €120 million and €100 million, respectively.
While it’s believed that Benfica may be open to accepting lower bids, such as €100 million and €80 million, these figures still seem excessive, even in today’s inflated transfer market. While Silva, a formidable 20-year-old center-back, and Neves, a tenacious 19-year-old midfielder, possess immense potential, data analysis from SciSports suggests that they may not develop into players warranting such hefty fees. Silva ranks 11th among U21 center-backs in terms of potential, while Neves sits 16th among central midfielders in the same age category.
