Benfica president Rui Costa has explained his sadness at being forced to accept Paris Saint-Germain's €70 million (£60m/$76m) bid for Joao Neves.
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Rui Costa explains rationale for accepting bidNeves set for move to PSGBenfica president heartbrokenWHAT HAPPENED?
Benfica have accepted PSG's bid for Neves and the young midfielder is poised to sign a five-year deal in France. Neves is just 19 but is already a full Portugal international with nine caps and has made 75 appearances for his boyhood club.
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Neves had been linked with Manchester United as well as PSG after he developed into one of the most promising midfielders in Europe. Rui Costa has made it clear that he would have preferred to have kept Neves, but that the figures involved in PSG's bid made it impossible to reject.
WHAT RUI COSTA SAID
Speaking to A Bola, Rui Costa said: "If Joao Neves' departure takes place, which is still pending details, I understand the fans' criticism because their bitterness is mine. I have to form squads and ensure that Benfica can win titles and when you lose a player of Joao's quality, who was trained here, I feel even sadder about it. I've known him since I was 10 years old and it's hard to see him leave.
"People have to understand that we postponed this transfer for a long time, we clearly rejected the first proposals, but we reached certain moments and numbers that made the transfer inevitable. Funds of €70 million are not possible for the club to give up."
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PSG are preparing for the new season and their next friendly comes against Sturm Graz. It remains to be seen if Neves is signed in time to play a part.