Man United and Man City 'scout' £103m midfielder and other transfer rumours

Manchester United's plans for the summer transfer window will be beginning to take shape under the new regime led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ineos Group and Ratcliffe completed a 25 per cent takeover of United earlier this year, which will see them take control of footballing operations at Old Trafford. No new signings were made in January, but that is expected to be drastically different when the window opens at the end of the season.

United are already being linked with potential new signings that could be added to Erik ten Hag's squad. A new midfielder is reportedly on the agenda for the Reds recruitment team, while there is also a striker who is apparently of interest.

READ MORE: It is time for Manchester United to restore Sir Alex Ferguson's ruthless rule

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho favourite could help Manchester United solve £201m problem position

It has been reported that United are one of several clubs interested in signing Benfica midfielder Joao Neves. The midfielder first joined the Primeira Liga club as part of their academy and has progressed through their youth set-up to be a key member of the first-team squad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Neves is a potential target for the Reds this summer as they assess options for the transfer window. However, it has been stated that Manchester City and other unnamed Premier League clubs are also interested in signing Neves.

Romano claims that Neves has a release clause in his contract over £100 million, and activating it would be the only way Benfica would allow the midfielder to leave the club this summer. It was in January last year that the Portuguese club sold Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea after the £106.8 million release clause was met by the Stamford Bridge club.

"In