Manchester United in bid for Benfica’s Swedish star Victor Lindelof after chasing team-mate Renato Sanches
Red Devils were chasing teenage Portuguese midfielder all season but are now interested in his team-mate
MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly made a bid for Benfica’s Swedish defender Victor Lindelof after watching their Renato Sanches raid fail.
Reports in Sweden claim United have tabled a £20million offer which could trigger his release clause.
United were in talks with Benfica all season over talented teenager Sanches, who eventually spurned them for a move to Bayern Munich.
The silver lining has been the club discovering 21-year-old Sweden international Lindelof.
However, Champions league giants Bayern, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also tracking the Portuguese title winner.
Lindelof broke into Benfica’s first team at the end of January after stepping up from the reserves as cover for injuries.
But he has now made a home for himself in the top-flight XI at centre-half and helped his side to seven clean sheets.
The 2015 Uefa U21 championship winner has even kept club captain Luisao out of the team on occasions with assured performances.
The powerhouse takes no prisoners but is also a cultured footballer who can switch to playing right-back with ease.
That sort of versatility is bound to appeal to Louis van Gaal – who has played Ashley Young as both a full-back and a lone-striker this season – if he’s still in charge at Old Trafford next season.
The hot prospect can add the Portuguese Double to his already impressive CV, if he can help his table-topping side beat Martimo in the cup final on Friday night.
United will not be able to offer the former Vasteras SK man Champions League football next season – unlike their rivals for his signature – so they will have to pay over the odds to land their man.