Transfer News: Chelsea Ready To Hijack Man Utd’s £38m Deal

Managers are now making moves to try and strengthen their squads during the January transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea enter the chase for Victor Lindelof…

Chelsea are ready to try and hijack Manchester United’s proposed £38m deal to sign Benfica centre-back Victor Lindelof this summer, according to the Mirror.

Lindelof joined Benfica’s youth system from his local club Vasteras SK in 2012 and has developed in to one of the best young defenders in Europe since breaking in to their first team over the past 18 months.

The 22-year-old is now a regular in the Swedish national team with 11 caps to his name so far and his potential has caught the attention of some of the biggest clubs in world football.

Man Utd have been strongly linked with a move for Lindelof in recent months with the Daily Star reporting over the weekend that the Red Devils were considering bringing forward their plans to sign the defender from the summer to this month due to the increased interest being shown.

Jose Mourinho had initially shelved his plans to sign a new centre-back due to the surprise recent form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo but the Mirror claim that a £38m deal to sign Lindelof was being lined-up for the summer.

However, it looks like United will now face fresh competition for the defenders signature as the newspaper is reporting today that Chelsea have now joined the race and are ready to hijack United’s proposed move.

Antonio Conte has played with a settle defence of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill for much of the season since switching to a back three in October but the Italian coach is seemingly on the look-out for another option at the back this summer.

John Terry is set to end his illustrious career in west London when his contract expires in June and the Mirror suggest that Conte has identified Lindelof as a potential replacement for his long-serving skipper after receiving glowing scouting reports on the Swede.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

Benfica are expected to cash-in at the end of the season due to their financial crisis so they’ll be hoping Chelsea’s interest will create a bidding war with United which could see the price driven up even further.