Report: United closing in on €60M deal for Benfica teenager Renato Sanches

Anthony Martial may not be the only high-priced youngster plying his trade at Old Trafford next season.

Manchester United seems ready to dig deep into its pockets for another youthful star, as talks are "progressing well" with Benfica over a €60-million deal for 18-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches, the Guardian's Jamie Jackson and Fabrizio Romano report.

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The potential deal would reportedly see United stagger the payments in three installments of €20 million.

Sanches, one of the most highly regarded young midfielders in Europe, is thought to be coveted by the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City, though Jackson and Romano indicate United is in pole position thanks to an existing relationship with a particular agent.

"The club are understood to have had Sanches watched on several occasions and United's strong working relationship with the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, may help push the proposed transfer through," the report notes.

Capped twice by Portugal, Sanches has been a mainstay in the heart of the midfield for Rui Vitoria's side, making 28 appearances in all competitions this season after making his league debut in October.

Sanches would conceivably be the natural replacement for a pair of aging United midfielders, as 35-year-old Michael Carrick and injury-plagued Bastian Schweinsteiger, 32, have had limited impacts this season.