Chelsea’s signing of David Luiz might have come as a surprise to everyone on deadline day, and it was rather clear the Brazilian wasn’t the club’s first choice to fill the void at the back.
The likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Alessio Romagnoli and even Aymen Abdennour were all routes explored by the Premier League side before the decision to buy back the jolly Brazilian was taken.
Another player who Chelsea looked at was Victor Lindelöf, Benfica’s 22-year-old centre-back, who has been linked with a move to England since the beginning of 2016.
Corriere dello Sport on Monday report that Inter Milan have now turned their attention to the young Swedish defender, but face competition from Antonio Conte’s side, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, who both hold an interest in Lindelöf.
Breaking into the Portuguese side’s squad following the January transfer window, the centre-back, who has been at the club since 2012, never left as Benfica marched their way to a Liga NOS title, losing one league game in 15 with the youngster in their defence.
Picking up where he left off, he has since played every game for Benfica so far this season, and doesn’t look likely to leave anytime soon, unless someone triggers his release clause, which currently stands at €30m.
If Benfica have any sense, they’ll increase that before January, and Corriere hint that could happen, with €45m the predicted figure.
