Benfica’s President Believes Man Utd Can Trigger €66m Release Clause Of Ruben Dias
REUTERS/Hugo Correia
Manchester United’s pursuits of a centre-back this summer is beginning to take on a weary look.
The Red Devils don’t seem to wield the purchasing power they usually bring to the negotiation table and the lack of Champions League football for next season may be the biggest culprit for the same.
A host of centre-backs have been linked to the club but none of them appear any closer to signing for the Mancunian outfit.
Their hunt for a leader in the heart of their defense isn’t a new one and now a player they have been previously linked with maybe put further out of their reach.
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United have been repeatedly touted to be in a position to sign Benfica defender Ruben Dias. The 22-year-old Portuguese player certainly fits the profile of a young player that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking for but he perhaps lacks the top-tier experience that would make him the ideal arrival.
However, the Record via SportWitness now claims that Benfica are actively looking to offer a new deal to the youngster amidst heavy interest from Europe.
Specifically, it appears that the club’s president Luis Felipe Vieira is eager on increasing his release clause from €66 million to a heftier €88 million.
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While no official word on the matter exists, this intention on part of the club could be an indication that a side like Manchester United are willing to purchase the player for the existing release clause.
By increasing that amount by such a significant bit, Benfica are clearly guarding their interests and ensuring that if a European client does come knocking, they will at least have the big fee from the deal.
At the same time, if this alleged new contract is indeed accepted by the Portuguese international it could very well be the last time that United are linked with him, striking off yet another centre-back from the club’s wishlist.