Benfica defender Victor Lindelof is reportedly on the verge of moving to Manchester United in a £38 million deal. It has also been rumoured that another transfer is set to take place between Benfica and Manchester United, but in the other way round. United goalkeeper Joel Pereira has been linked with a switch to the Portuguese outfit on a loan deal until the end of the season. Now, it looks unlikely to happen according to journalist Lucas Sposito. The youngster is currently on loan at Belenenses, and it is understood that the player will remain at the club until the end of the season according to the Daily Express.
I’ve been told that Joel Pereira is not moving from MUFC to Benfica. Keeper is on loan at Belenenses until end of the season. @Sport_Witness
— Lucas Sposito (@LucasSposito_) December 27, 2016
However, there have also been reports from Portuguese publication A Bola, who claim that a deal between Manchester United and Benfica has been agreed and the player will move in the summer window. At just 20 years of age, he is regarded as one of the top young goalkeepers for Portugal. However, he looks unlikely to get a place in the Manchester United squad, which already has one of the best goalkeepers in the world – David de Gea. Pereira has been with United since 2012.
Meanwhile, the Sun reports that Jose Mourinho has had a turnaround of results after having a secret meeting with none other than Sir Alex Ferguson. The success experienced by Manchester United under the regime of Ferguson is immense, and there can be no better person to know more about the club and to recover the form that the Scot had left behind. Mourinho has reportedly had a consultation with Ferguson on various aspects. It appears that Ferguson has told Mourinho to don the role of a Special One in order to achieve success at the club.
Mourinho’s intense press conferences a few weeks ago seemed like a sign of the manager losing his plot. However, it is only after such interviews that the club have kicked back into life and have gone on a 10 match unbeaten run in all competitions. They have also managed to win the last four league matches to move level on points with Tottenham in the fifth spot.
Even as the transfer rumours are heavily focusing on Victor Lindelof’s proposed move to Old Trafford, Manchester United are looking at ways to strengthen the midfield by signing Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie. Chelsea are providing stiff competition for the 21-year-old, and according to France Football, the blues have lodged a £21 million offer already. The defensive midfielder has been in sensational form this season and has already scored six goals, while Atalanta have been able to take full advantage by moving within a couple of points off the top four.
The midfielder has a contract with the Italian outfit until 2021, but he is also attracting the attention of champions Juventus.
