Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira wanted by Benfica: Club chief in London for talks
JOEL PEREIRA is reportedly a target for Portuguese giants Benfica.
Benfica have made Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira their No 1 transfer target
The Manchester United keeper made his first-team debut back in January in the FA Cup win over Wigan.
He also enjoyed a loan spell at Portuguese side Belenenses earlier this season.
And Portuguese outlet A Bola claim Pereira has caught the eye of Benfica with Emerson’s potential move to Manchester City prompting them to make him their No 1 target to replace him.
It is said that Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira is in London with agent Jorge Mendes to discuss a transfer with United.
Benfica have made Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira their No 1 transfer target.
However, Benfica could face an uphill battle in trying to sign the 20-year-old with Manchester United keen on handing him a new long-term contract.
The Daily Mail claimed this month that United have opened talks over a new deal with Jose Mourinho impressed by his talents - tipping him to become Portugal’s No 1 keeper in the future.
"We have a third goalkeeper that I think will be the best Portuguese goalkeeper of the next generation," Mourinho told MUTV.
But with Pereira being United’s third-choice stopper, Benfica are keen to try their luck.
Manchester United are interested in Benfica ace Nelson Semedo
A Bola say Jorge Mendes’ presence in the negotiations are curious as he is not Pereira’s agent, but he is Nelson Semedo’s.
Semedo is a target for United and could be offered as part of the deal which would see Pereira seal a move to Portugal.
The report adds Benfica have lined up Atletico Madrid stopper Andre Moreira as their alternative target should a move for Pereira fail to materialise.