Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly made Benfica defender Victor Lindelof his top transfer target, but won’t sign him until next summer.
Although United have improved defensively in recent weeks with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo filling in prior to Eric Bailly’s return from injury, it’s suggested that Mourinho still wants to add a commanding centre-half to his squad.
According to The Mirror, the Red Devils have already made enquiries about Lindelof, but Benfica will not sell the Swedish international until the end of the season due to their on-going participation in the Champions League.
Despite the fact that United could be tempted to look elsewhere, it’s added that the Premier League giants have continued to keep a close eye on the 22-year-old, and even watched him in action again last Sunday when Benfica defeated Sporting Lisbon.
Lindelof joined the Portuguese giants in 2012 from Vasteras and has gone on to establish himself as a key figure for the club and is an ever-present in the side with 20 appearances in all competitions already this season.
In turn, Benfica will value him highly, with The Mirror even reporting earlier this month that it would take a bid of around £50m to prise him away which will certainly test how strong United’s interest is and if they value him enough to splash out a significant fee.
Lindelof has developed into a top defender in recent years for both club and country, has shown he can be versatile, and is another young talent that has the potential to be a mainstay in the United team for years to come.
Paired with Bailly in the long-term, Mourinho may well solve his defensive issues but although the Swede is now considered the club’s top target, it remains to be seen if a deal can be struck at the end of the season.