Manchester United close in on £38 million defensive target

He will be familiar to Irish fans.

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, looks set to bolster his defensive options in the January transfer window with the signing of Benfica central defender, Victor Lindelof. The Swedish international may be familiar to Irish fans as he played against the Boys in the Green during the recent European Championships. With Eric Bailly's impending African Cup of Nations departure in mind, Mourinho is keen to add more depth to his defensive options. The 22-year-old Swede, according to a report in the Daily Mail, has been scouted regularly by United this season but the Manchester club are keen to secure his signature as soon as possible as there is plenty of interest from other European clubs. Recently, a delegation from Portugal flew to England to discuss the possible transfer, a further indication that the deal is likely to happen. The central defender, who can also play at right back, arrived at Benfica in 2012 from Swedish club, Vasteras. The Portugese club are likely to demand a figure in the region of £38 million for the 22 year old as they are reluctant to sell, especially as they look to make further progress in the Champions League. Lindelöf may not be the only Benfica player on his way to Manchester. His 23-year-old teammate Nélson Semedo is also on Mourinho's most wanted list, although he won't arrive straight away. The expectation, according to Record, is that negotiations are ongoing regarding the fleet-footed Portuguese right-back and that his transfer will most likely occur in the summer, for a rumoured £30m. What this may mean for Antonio Valencia remains to be seen. At the very least it will provide him with some serious first team competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBAQB4iDjoE