‘Prepared’: Bid confirmed by agent as club says there is a prospect of top Manchester United target leaving

There has been a swell of rumour over the last few days and weeks about Manchester United signing the brilliant Swedish centre back Victor Lindelof.

What seemed to be a typically outlandish tabloid rumour a fortnight ago has gathered pace and even his club has now suggested that they would be prepared for a potential departure.

This afternoon, the agent of the player had this to say about the situation:

“I can only comment that there is a bid on Benfica’s table, they can consider it. And I’ll be meeting with Benfica also.

“He knows that there is a concrete bid and is happy about it – this is proof that he has done very well.”

With the sort of money being talked about for such a young talent any club would be tempted to part ways. And Benfica coach Rui Vitoria is braced for the worst.

He is quoted as saying:

“If it happens to a player we will be prepared and we will find solutions,”

“There is always the prospect of someone leaving and it does not have implications on our work.”

The same report stresses that initial negotiations have taken place between Manchester United and Benfica for the January signing of the defender.

The Manchester United manager himself has suggested that he is open to transfers in the winter window but that there will not be large scale movement until the summer. He said:

“If we buy a player we buy a player, we’re not buying two, three or four. If we open the door for someone to leave it’s not because we push him, it’s because he really wants to leave.

“But for me, I am more than happy to keep the players.”

Lindelof is an all-action 22-year-old defender who seems to tick all the boxes. He’s strong and quick in the tackle and a very assertive footballer with lovely feet. He is also a confident player who loves to carry the ball out of defence and into midfield to set up attacks.

All in all he’s a very front-footed footballer with a great temperament and natural leadership abilities.

Manchester United fans – would this be the best way to spend the January cash?