Report: Manchester City now tracking £100m Arsenal target who Bruno Fernandes called ‘excellent’

Manchester City are reportedly keeping tabs on a £100m-rated midfielder who Arsenal are rumoured to be tracking as well this summer.

The transfer window has been unusually quiet for the top teams this summer, with the Euros and Copa America taking attention away from the market and onto international action, where Spain and Argentina were the big winners.

For City and Arsenal, both teams have been linked with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, though there is a growing chance that the Brazilian international will remain in the northeast despite significant interest.

And City have now joined Arsenal in the race for another top midfielder this summer.

Joao Neves now on City’s radar after Arsenal links

According to O Jogo, Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves is now being tracked by City, with Manchester United also chasing the £100m-rated Portuguese international this summer.

Lauded by Bruno Fernandes as an ‘excellent’ player, Neves has been one of the breakout youngsters in the last 18 months after establishing himself as a key player for Benfica at just 19-years-old.

With Arsenal interested in signing Neves, City joining the race could cause a big problem for the Gunners, who already face major competition for the youngster in the form of PSG.

Indeed, Neves was already going to be an ambitious signing this summer for the Gunners, and a deal has become potentially even more difficult with City now in the race for the Portuguese sensation.

Arsenal might have to concede defeat in race to sign Neves

Neves has been linked with a move to Arsenal for what feels like forever, yet with City joining the race and PSG continuing to show strong interest in the midfielder, the time could be now for the Gunners to concede defeat.

Although the north London side have the finances to match what City and PSG are offering for Neves, it’s clear that the two juggernauts of European football will come across as a more appealing option for the 19-year-old midfielder this summer.

And as a result, Arsenal might be smart to move on from Neves and onto other midfield targets, a position Mikel Arteta is clearly keen to improve on this summer having come close to the Premier League title last year.