Manchester United star Victor Lindelof’s agent has claimed that the Swede is wanted by a big club in Europe, with Barcelona believed to be the interested party.
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof’s future at the club has been cast in some doubt by his agent. Hasan Cetinkaya, the Swedish international’s representative, has revealed that his client is a target for a European giant, with Barcelona believed to be that club, as per a report from the Daily Mail.
Lindelof joined Manchester United in the summer of 2017 from Portuguese outfit Benfica in a deal worth €35 million. The 24-year-old struggled to adapt to the Premier League in his debut season, but emerged as the Red Devils’ best defender in the 2018-19 campaign, standing out when the entire defensive unit was found wanting big time.
Till date, Lindelof has made 69 appearances for Manchester United, 40 of which came in the past season, during which he scored and assisted one goal apiece. With his steady displays at the back, the 29-time capped Swedish international has established himself as one of the first names in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team-sheet.
However, Lindelof’s future at Manchester United has been called into question by his agent, who has claimed that the 24-year-old is wanted by a European giant in the ongoing transfer window. In a recent interview, Hasan Centikaya said: “Lindelof is in the orbit of a great European club, but leaving United depends on the English club.”
And the report from the Daily Mail claims that the team that is interested in signing Lindelof is Barcelona. The La Liga champions are scouring the market for defensive reinforcements, despite boasting quality options such as Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet.
Barcelona saw Thomas Vermaelen leave this summer upon the expiry of his deal and while they still have the young Jean-Clair Todibo as an option, the Catalans are concerned over Umtiti’s recent injury problems leading to them eyeing the signing of a new centre-half.
Barcelona, for a long time, had been linked with a swoop for Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt. The Netherlands international has become one of the most coveted defenders in Europe on the back of some sensational displays over the past two years, with Barca being one of his most ardent suitors.
However, de Ligt is set to snub a move to Barcelona in order to join Italian champions Juventus instead, as per the Daily Mail. This has led to Barcelona identifying Lindelof as an alternative option for the Dutchman.
However, it will be hard for the La Liga champions to prise away the Swedish defender from Manchester United. The Red Devils hold him in high regard and have him tied down to a contract till 2021, with an option to extend by a further year.
While Manchester United are planning to sign a new defender in the form of Harry Maguire, Lindelof is considered an indispensable figure and is unlikely to be allowed to leave. As a result, Barcelona would be better off turning their focus elsewhere to boost up their defence.
