Man United: Victor Lindelof talks started
On Sunday, Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claimed Manchester United have initiated some sort of contact to sign Victor Lindelof from Benfica. Jose Mourinho apparently isn’t content with the options of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and others.
Mourinho is said to want defensive additions in the winter transfer window and, as far as O Jogo are concerned, Lindelof is a very real possibility. The Swedish international has a release clause of €30m, but some Portuguese release clauses only apply to the summer window. It’s not been stated whether that’s the case or not with Lindelof.
On the assumption it’s a clause for any time of the year, signing Lindelof would be pretty much straightforward. If the player did have any doubts then the wages on offer should sooth them and Manchester United would pay €30m. Job done, Victor Lindelof is a Manchester United.
But are Manchester United really interested in Victor Lindelof?
Before the last transfer window, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet claimed, according to their information, Manchester United had made an offer of SEK 250 million (around £20.5m). At the time the €30m clause converted to about £23m, now it would be £25.7m.
If Mourinho wants Lindelof then it seems odd the extra £3m wasn’t paid, and if he doesn’t want him then the whole thing is baseless.
What the story does have on its side is Manchester United’s scouting record. They consistently watch Benfica matches. Victor Lindelof has been improving this season, Mourinho may well need a defender, the Swede is sign-able… et voila!
Portuguese newspaper A Bola report that Manchester United had someone at Benfica to watch Lindelof on Sunday. Benfica beat Moreirense 3-0, in a match which didn’t see the defender tested much.
Unless Manchester United’s scouting of Benfica is so chaotic they concentrate on one player one week and one the next, then all the claims simply cannot be true. One week it’s Victor Lindelof, another it’s Goncalo Guedes, or Nelson Semedo, or Alex Grimaldo.
Manchester United will of course be aware of Lindelof thanks to the scouting, but it’s got to be unknown if he’s the prime target. If they want him, they can get him, which will provide the answers soon enough.
