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28th Dec 2016

Manchester United target Victor Lindelof set for new Benfica contract

The latest reports from Portugal claim the defender's price has just shot up

Simon Lloyd

Manchester United are widely expected to sign Benfica’s Victor Lindelof in the January transfer window.

In fact, one report from RTP in the last couple of days even went as far  as saying that the deal for the Swedish international had already been agreed. According to them, the price would be £38m (not bad going for a player most of us hadn’t heard of three weeks ago), and the 22-year-old would inherit the number two shirt at Old Trafford last worn by Rafael da Silva before his departure to Lyon the other summer.

CS Maritimo v SL Benfica - Primeira Liga

Now though, it appears such claims may have been slightly premature. O Jogo now report that the Lindelof might actually sign a new deal with Benfica – thereby increasing the fee United would have to stump up to get him to Manchester.

According to the Mail, a buyout clause of around £50m could be inserted in any improved contract with the Portuguese club.

Any deal with United will also net Vasteras, Lindelof’s first club in Sweden, 20% of any transfer fee. If the latest reports are accurate, this could stand at £10m.

Having spent the Christmas period with family in Sweden, Lindelof has returned to Lisbon. Expect to hear plenty more about him in the next few weeks.