Following Sunday’s reports of Manchester United offering €40m for Benfica midfielder Anderson Talisca, Portuguese newspaper O Jogo brings some interesting updates today.
The outlet claims that now that the season is done, the player is returning to Brazil, and should meet his agent Carlos Leite in a week.
That’s when he will discuss the reported offer from Manchester United. Other sides like Roma and Beijing Guoan are in the race as well, so the player will decide if he’s joining José Mourinho’s side.
According to O Jogo, Carlos Leite already has a trip to Manchester planned. The newspaper backs-up that the offer is worth €40m, and the agent is set to have further talks with the club.
Now this €40m bid has really become a thing in Portugal. Because today, newspapers A Bola, Jornal de Notícias and Diário de Notícias are all reporting that same amount, not bothering to give credits to any other source.
The only newspaper who seems to have a different take is Record. They say Chinese side Changchun Yatai, who already bid €30m in January, are about to come back for the player, maybe with a bigger bid this time. The outlet doesn’t put Manchester United as favourites in their race, as they just report the interest along with Liverpool and Wolves.
With the offer amount coming from the Portuguese media, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out its likely source and, true or not, Benfica’s efforts to get a big fee are enhanced by the idea of Manchester United interest.
Should we believe that an offer has really arrived from Old Trafford then Talisca being so cool about it, and not in a rush to agree, would seem strange. It would be a huge opportunity for the 24 year old and allow him to kick-on in his career.
