Benfica starlet Joao Neves has been heavily linked with Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Nemanja Matic has urged Manchester United transfer target Joao Neves to ‘stay at Benfica for a few more years’ as he believes ‘it’s too early’ for the midfielder to leave his boyhood club.

Neves, 19, broke into Benfica’s first-team squad last season and has since established himself as a mainstay in Roger Schmidt’s starting XI, making 49 appearances in all competitions this term.

It’s understood Neves’ outstanding performances have caught the attention of some of Europe’s elite teams, with the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and United credited with a strong interest in the youngster.
However, Neves has a an eye-watering £105million release clause in his contract in Lisbon, which runs through to 2028, and Benfica are determined to keep hold of the Portugal international beyond the summer.

Addressing the speculation over Neves’ future in January, Benfica head coach Schmidt said he was adamant that the teenage midfielder remained committed to the club for the foreseeable future.

Neves himself, meanwhile, has been keen to swerve the questions over his future and, instead, focus on the task at hand at Benfica, with the Portuguese champions trailing Primeira Liga leaders Sporting by seven points in the table.

‘I promise to do my best in every training session, in every game, and I think that is one of my greatest...