Benfica planning for life without Lindelof, hints manager
Benfica manager Rui Vitoria has hinted the club are already planning for life without defender Victor Lindelof as a move to Manchester United nears completion.
Lindelof has emerged as a top transfer target for United in January and is widely expected to complete a stunning £38m move when the transfer window re-opens.
There has been plenty of speculation from all sides of the transfer in the last few days, including the fact Lindelof’s agent has confirmed there is an offer on the table from an unnamed side, but perhaps the biggest hint has just come from the defender’s manager.
“I don’t know anything and have nothing concrete to say about this particular case [Lindelof to United,” The Daily Mirror quote Vitoria as saying after their 2-0 win over Rio Ave on Wednesday night.
“The players know the demands made on them by representing this great club [Benfica] and the pride they must have in wearing this shirt, and while they’re here they always have to play with their heart and soul. This is the message I pass on and for sure the players who leave here will have great memories of the club.
“Sometimes players have to leave because their careers, their age, the way they are playing and developing means there will be clubs interested who can give them a different life and take them on a different path.
“If this happens [Lindelof leaves], we have solutions. We have a B team packed with great players and in the short term some of them will be playing for Benfica’s 1st team.
“There is no need to make a drama out of this. The life of Benfica is like this. There are clubs who want our players because they are high quality. If this happens [Lindelof leaves] there is no need for alarm.”
Lindelof has already been tipped by United striker, and former international teammate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be a success at a big club and now a move appears imminent as Jose Mourinho looks to strengthen his squad for the second half of the season.
No player has completed more passes in the defensive half of the pitch than Lindelof (502).
For more stats on Victor Lindelof, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
