Diário de Notícias have some pretty unexciting news for those who want to see Victor Lindelof moving to Manchester United. Their Thursday edition brings a story which goes against most of the Portuguese press, claiming that a deal is still far from happening.
According to the newspaper, the Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira did not travel to England to seal the transfer.
Manchester United have reportedly made a request to know the conditions of a move, but the Portuguese side’s response was that a January transfer would cost €60m.
Manchester United don’t want to spend more than €35m plus performance bonuses, so the deal isn’t very likely for now.
Diário de Notícias claims that Lindelof’s release clause, which is €30m, only works in the summer. That’s why Manchester United find themselves in a complicated situation right now. The player reportedly has a contract renewal ready to be signed, which will raise the clause to €60m anyway.
Benfica have no intention to sell Lindelof as the other three defenders in their squad have a recent history of injuries, and he’s the most reliable man for now.
What makes little sense is that the same article says that Chelsea made a bid of €35m plus bonuses last summer, and it was rejected by the Portuguese side. But isn’t that bigger than the release clause?
What also fail to make sense is, even if it wasn’t the player’s release clause, which it was, Benfica would have snapped Chelsea’s hand off for that amount, Lindelof has only really grown in prominence this season.
Whilst the general idea of everything not being quite as imminent as others in Portugal have reported can easily be believed, and is likely true, that’s just common transfer sense.
It’s the other claims which make the whole thing shaky.
