The Victor Lindelof to Manchester United story is certainly gathering pace. Over the weekend it was claimed in Portugal that Jose Mourinho’s club had initiated contact to sign the Benfica defender in the January transfer window.
Then on Sunday Manchester United yet again scouted Benfica. Whilst it can’t be certain they were watching Lindelof specifically, that’s certainly what the Portuguese media think.
An update comes from Sweden with Fotbollskanalen saying that, according to their own information, Manchester United are in talks to sign Lindelof, and they lead the race to complete a deal.
Mourinho may well want to add to his defensive options, especially given current injury niggles to players such as Chris Smalling, the constant worry a Phil Jones setback is around the corner, and that Eric Bailly will be missing for a period in January and February on international duty.
The Manchester United manager has already made it clear he sees Daley Blind as a left back, and insinuated similar about Marcos Rojo too, there’s every chance he’s trying to send several hints to Ed Woodward.
Fotbollskanalen have also managed to speak to the player’s agent Hasan Cetinkaya, who told them: “I don’t want to comment on various clubs but there is concrete interest from some of the biggest in Europe. “Vigge” really enjoys it at Benfica, at the same time, as I have said before, there is no smoke without fire when it comes to that many clubs are interested in him, but Victor is focused on Benfica.”
Interestingly, the Swedish website claim Mourinho and Manchester United are trying to build a deal to sign two Benfica players: An unnamed footballer and Lindelof.
Lindelof is 23 years of age, right footed, and plays primarily as a central defender but can also fill in at right back.
Thanks to Timothy Froidevaux for the heads up.
