It really seems to be just a matter of time before Victor Lindelof signs for Manchester United now.
The transfer was followed by the Portuguese media day by day during Christmas, and according to many outlets, it’s very close to being sealed after all the parties reached an agreement.
According to RTP Notícias today, the deal is done and Lindelof will be wearing the number 2 at Old Trafford. The transfer could cost up to €45m. That’s €40m up front and €5m in bonuses.
The problem with that is… it’s nothing new. Everything RTP said has already been reported, and what looks to be a round-up from them has got far more attention then it probably should have.
Newspaper O Jogo claims that the player is back in Portugal after spending Christmas in Sweden, and is now set to sign the papers to make his transfer official.
O Jogo say: ‘After Christmas in Sweden, the central defender returned to Lisbon yesterday and presents himself today at Seixal (Benfica’s base), with the aim of completing formalities and receiving the order to continue travel to Manchester and United.”
One of the bureaucracies that’s stopping the deal is Lindelof’s new contract with Benfica. He currently has a €30m release clause, and will sign a new one to raise it to €60m before making the move.
Over the weekend some outlets mentioned the fact that Benfica’s contractual problems with Vasteras could slow the transfer even more, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem for today’s newspapers.
This is merely us speculating, but actually signing a new deal could be as much to do with Benfica’s Vasteras quarrels as price. The Portuguese club believe that a clause for an extra payment to the Swedish club became void with the defender’s last contract, and another new one may be a tactic at pushing Vasteras’ claims further away.
Lindelof is set to sign a five-year contract, making €3.5m per season at Old Trafford, after tax. His salary at Benfica is €200k per year.
The only thing new is Lindelof returning to Benfica, and the claims he hopes to complete the formalities, starting today, and then become a Manchester United player.
