Sidney Sladen
Manchester United have reportedly made a move regarding a £40million deal to sign Benfica centre-half Victor Lindelof. According to Mirror, United have held fresh talks with the Portugues club regarding a move for the 22-year old defender.
However, it has been reported that the Benfica president is holding out for £50million, £10million more than what Manchester United are ready to offer for the highly rated youngster. Lindelof has long been linked with a move to United and now it looks like Man United are seriously considering a summer move for the Swede.
It could be possible that Jose Mourinho is trying to bring in fresh faces at the back, as he recently questioned Smalling and Jones’ commitment. Though he assured that the players have a future at the club beyond this season, it could be that Jose is trying to prove a point to his centre-halves.
When questioned about Jones’ and Smalling’s recoveries and if they had a future at the club, he said:
“Of course they have. I hope this season. It’s not just about them. It’s about the philosophy and mentality around them. Cautious. Cautious. Cautious. Just a cautious approach. It’s a profile, it’s the philosophy of work. Just that.”
Though Mourinho would give them their chance next season, Lindelof would make the two Englishmen fight for their place in the playing XI. The arrival of Bailly and his performances this season have seen him nail down a starting place in Mourinho’s team.
Lindelof’s arrival would freshen things up at the back and it would be essential. He is a quality player without a doubt and at 22-years of age, has all the time in the world to improve himself further. Since he is an excellent passer of the ball, he would be ideal to be the ball playing central defender that Manchester United have craved for since many years now.
The amount of maturity that Lindelof possesses for his age is remarkable and this would surely have caught Mourinho’s attention. A move for him in the summer would be a welcome move but not at the expense of Smalling and Jones as both of them are quality players. They surely deserve their chances next season and if they survive the battle for places, it would be a boost for United in the future.
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