The Portuguese media will pick up on anything which allows them to relaunch Victor Lindelof transfer stories, and claims in Italy on Monday have duly been covered.
Calciomercato.it stated that Pep Guardiola is pushing Manchester City to rival Manchester United for the player. However, perhaps adding further doubt to that, Calciomercato also stated that Real Madrid ‘remain in pole position’ to sign the player.
O Jogo cover the Italian claim, and point out that Manchester United have negotiated a ‘right of first refusal’ to sign the player in the summer. The next transfer window is now only a few months away and the ground is already being prepared for a Lindelof saga.
The Portuguese newspaper claim Manchester United were ‘very close’ to signing Lindelof in January, and they say interested clubs now include Juventus, Inter Milan, AS Roma, PSG and Real Madrid. Marseille have also been linked over the past few weeks.
The reality is likely to be that Benfica are keen to sell Victor Lindelof during the summer transfer window, and their first port of call will be Manchester United.
Approaching the 
winter window it grew increasingly obvious that Benfica were keen to sell Lindelof to Manchester United, the problem seemed to be the targeted buying club weren’t quite as keen to sign the player.
Having Manchester City dragged into the equation is useful for Benfica, even if Guardiola’s interest has been overstated or even fabricated. The more Lindelof’s profile can be upped than the higher the perceived value will be.
Manchester City, just like Manchester United, routinely scout Benfica, but Guardiola’s men have been more strongly linked with Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson.
