Transfer Rumour: Manchester United close in on Benfica defender Victor Lindelof

Lindelof has had an impressive season at Benfica

With just over ten days to go for the winter transfer window to open, transfer activity of clubs is heating up, and Jose Mourinho and co. are moving fast to acquire the services of the 22-year-old Swedish defender Victor Lindelof.

The Manchester club has been rumoured to be interested in the player for some time now and if reports from the Portuguese news agency O Jogo are to be believed, Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira is expected to travel to Manchester on Monday to meet the Manchester United camp to take the transfer proceedings forward.

Jose Mourinho has shown an extended interest in signing the player and has made him his number one target in the upcoming transfer window. The Portuguese club are believed to be interested in letting the player leave if Manchester United can match their valuation of €45 million for the 22-year-old and while that is a whopping sum of money for someone so young, Mourinho and co remain interested in acquiring his services.

Lindelof, a Swedish international, who started his career at Swedish club Västerås SK, moved to Benfica in December 2011 and has thereafter, risen rapidly through their ranks. The right-sided centre-back, who can also play effectively as a right-back as well as a defensive midfielder, made his debut for Benfica in 2013 and has subsequently impressed one and all with his solid performances at the heart of the side’s defence.

He has featured in 13 of Benfica’s 14 league games and all the 6 Champions League fixtures for his side. The defender has, thus far, won 63% of his tackles, 59% of his aerial duels and has shown an ability to break up the play by making timely interceptions (he has made 19 interceptions in 13 appearances). His tidiness with the ball at his feet as well as his ability to carry the ball out of the defence has caught the eye of many managers.

Manchester United have endured a season where numerous injuries have forced Mourinho to chop and change his defensive pairing, and the Swedish defender could prove to be a valuable asset for the side, especially with his versatility.

However, with 3 and a ½ years left on his contract, Benfica would not be in a hurry to sell the player. While a move looks likely, Lindelof might shy away from the opportunity for a window or two as the move to Old Trafford is expected to restrict his playing time, in the process, hampering his growth as a player.