Manchester United send scouts to spy on Benfica starlet Renato Sanches at Jose Mourinho's demand

Manchester United and Juventus both sent scouts to the Portuguese league clash between Benfica and Porto on Friday (12 February) to check out coveted starlet Renato Sanches, according to AS. The Spanish publication claims the Premier League giants could offer €40m (£30.1m, $44.6m) with another €20m in add-ons to beat Real Madrid, among other suitors, for the 18-year-old's signature, at the personal request of Jose Mourinho, who is expected to take over from Louis van Gaal at the end of the season.

AS reported last week that Real Madrid had identified the Portuguese midfielder as a priority for the summer mercato. The story claimed that Benfica had recently increased the player's release clause to €80m, but would be willing negotiate his departure for around €60m.

However, the Spanish paper now claims the La Liga outfit face stiff competition from both Manchester United and Juventus after the clubs sent scouts to Benfica's stadium to assess Sanches. The midfielder impressed by providing the assist for Kostas Mitroglou's opener before Porto came back to secure a 2-1 victory.

AS claims United could make an offer close to the €60m Benfica are demanding to part ways with the starlet, paying €40m up front plus further €20m in add-ons to get his services as he is a personal target of Mourinho.

Juventus are believed to be keeping tabs on the player as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba, in case the France international makes a big-money move away from the Serie A side.

If Manchester United did appoint Mourinho to replace Van Gaal, they could have the edge in signing Sanches as they share the same agent, Jorge Mendes.