Man Utd blown out of water as target’s release clause raised to €88m

Manchester United have been dealt another blow in their pursuit of Benfica defender Ruben Dias, after the Portuguese giants altered their demands.

Dias is one of a plethora of names linked with United, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to improve his options at centre-back. The Red Devils struggled in the defensive department last year, as they finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old Dias impressed last season, making more than 50 appearances in all competitions as Benfica clinched the league title.

United’s quest to sign Dias hit a stumbling block yesterday when it was revealed that Real Madrid had asked for first refusal on the player due to Benfica’s efforts to sign Raul De Tomas from the Bernabeu club.

There is still hope that that request could be denied, but United will now have another concern over the player.

According to A Bola, Benfica have decided to raise Dias’ release clause from €66m to €88m to ward off interested parties, while also doubling his salary to make him the highest-paid member of the squad.

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