'We kept bothering' - Two Man City players begged club to sign player who went on to become superstar

Two Manchester City players bagged their team to sign a future superstar who they club ultimately missed out on, it has emerged.

Footballers don't often have too much influence over their club's recruitment but at City, Portugal pair Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias continually pestered the Blues about Joao Neves.

City were heavily linked with Neves, a Benfica academy product like Silva and Dias, after an incredible breakthrough season with the Lisbon giants at the age of 18.

Neves attracted interest from a whole host of clubs after helping Benfica win the league in his first season as a professional.

Both Silva and Dias kept telling City not to miss out on the pint-sized midfielder after being impressed with what they saw in the flesh in Portugal training.

City were unable to secure his services, however, as he signed for Paris Saint-Germain in a £50 million deal in 2024.

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"We have a funny story with Ruben Dias, from the time of the European Championship in Germany," Silva told DAZN, as per Record.

"We knew that Joao Neves was close to signing with PSG. And Ruben and I started calling City telling them not to lose him. At the time, City had other priorities because in midfield we had many players and they ended up not going ahead. But we kept bothering City not to lose him.

"They ended up having other priorities at the time, they decided not to go ahead, but it's a funny story. I think they might regret it a little bit nowadays, after seeing... We already knew Joao and we also trained with him, we already saw what he was like, because he's a player who doesn't disappoint."

Joao Neves has been a revelation at PSG. Image: Getty

Joao Neves' signing would have fixed major Man City issue

City may just live to regret not going all out for Neves as he has been nothing short of a revelation at PSG, playing 96 times and scoring 14 goals.

The Blues later signed Nico Gonzalez for £50 million from Porto in the 2025 January transfer window after Rodri's ACL injury.

However Silva's exit on a free transfer means the club are desperate for midfield reinforcements, with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Enzo Fernandez named as potential options.

Neves, meanwhile, has won back to back Ligue One titles with PSG and was integral to the side who also finally delivered the Champions League crown as part of last season's treble.

He and midfield partner Vitinha have been in exquisite form again in another Champions League final run, with Neves undoubtedly one of the very best in the world at 21.

Capped 21 times for Portugal, Neves has been called up to Portugal's stacked 26-man squad for the World Cup alongside Silva, Dias, Bruno Fernandes and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo - who is playing in his sixth and final tournament.