Manchester United have already opened negotiations for Ruben Dias - but risk missing out to Juventus in their bid to land the defender.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, the Red Devils have opened negotiations with Benfica over a move for the highly-rated 21-year-old.
But Juventus are said to be in "pole position" to acquire his services having reached a more advanced stage of the negotiation process than United.
It is understood that Benfica will demand clubs pay the €60m release clause in Dias' contract to let go of one of their prized assets.
United will now have to step up their pursuit and speed up the process or risk seeing him agree a move to Italy instead.
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Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Dias, but they are said to be more focused on landing Porto defender Felipe instead.
Dias is not the only Portuguese star wanted by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the summer.
Benfica team-mate Joao Felix is also on their radar, although the wonderkid is wanted by almost all of Europe's top clubs after his stunning breakthrough season.
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Free-scoring Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes is also a top target for United as Solskjaer looks to rebuild his squad.
But central defence has long been a priority for United, with Dias one of the main priorities in their bid to tighten up at the back.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Milan Skriniar have been long-time targets but look unlikely to leave Napoli and Inter Milan respectively, whilst Ajax youngster Matthijs De Ligt is reported to be close to joining Barcelona with Juventus also in with a chance.
