Seeing Record’s headline ‘Bayern makes Semedo easier for Man United’, would make one think things are getting serious between the Benfica player and Jose Mourinho’s side.
But the whole of Record’s story seems to be based upon Bayern thinking the deal is overpriced, rather than Manchester United moving in.
The newspaper actually does a fine job reporting that the German side are not so keen on paying the price demanded by Benfica, which is at least the €35m. The Portuguese club’s idea is to sell Nelson Semedo for more than they got for Renato Sanches.
Bayern have watched Semedo many times this season and would want the player to replace Philipp Lahm at the club, but their intention would be to get him for a €20m fee.
That’s why Manchester United, who have been heavily linked to the player during the January window, would now find themselves in a better position to sign the player.
Record has no updates on the negotiations between the clubs. They only say Manchester United continue scouting Benfica’s games, and Record take this as a sign they’re still interested.
Semedo has an €80m release clause, and as Portuguese clubs often do, Benfica will use that as a bargaining stance. The €35m it’s said is now demanded by Benfica, could change quickly if more clubs show an interest.
Such a figure would be no problem for Manchester United if Nelson Semedo is the man Jose Mourinho wants.
