Manchester United are reportedly preparing a £35m offer to land Victor Lindelof’s defensive partner at SL Benfica, Nelson Semedo
Daily Mirror have claimed that Manchester United are prepared to move in for Benfica full-back Nelson Semedo. The Red Devils have been continuously linked with interest in the right-back and have been reported to be on the cusp of signing his defensive partner, Victor Lindelof.
Now, with Lindelof’s deal reportedly all but done, Jose Mourinho is now eyeing a deal for Nelson Semedo and the Portuguese is ready to go in with a £35m offer to land the 23-year-old.
Nelson Semedo is a Portuguese international who has emerged as one of the brightest talents on the right side of the defence since making his senior debut for SL Benfica. The defender has become a household name in Portugal now, with impressively consistent performances in Liga NOS.
He has featured in all of Benfica’s league outings this season and has played every minute of their Champions League campaign. Semedo has been on United’s radar for a while now. The Red Devils were reported to be monitoring the player’s progress ever since the closure of the summer transfer window.
Jose Mourinho has chosen to deploy Antonio Valencia as a right-back, who has gone about his business with aplomb. But, even though Valencia has adapted and converted himself to fit into the role, Mourinho, being a known stickler for players playing in their natural positions, has been looking to add a natural right-back to his squad.
United have been linked with many top right-back talents in the recent past with the likes of Fabinho, Joao Cancelo and many more. The Red Devils have been in negotiations with SL Benfica for their central defender Victor Lindelof, and are now looking to use the negotiations to their advantage by landing another defensive prospect from the club’s ranks.
Benfica, though, are unlikely to want to part with Semedo in the January transfer window, which could push the transfer back towards the end of the season.
However, Jose Mourinho seems intent on adding a right-back to his ranks, and Semedo is unlikely to reject the opportunity to play under his compatriot, Jose Mourinho, one of the best managers in football.
The report states that other top clubs are also in pursuit of the 23-year-old. But the ongoing negotiations with respect to Lindelof is likely to hand United an advantage over other suitors. Come January, we might just see, not just one, but two of Benfica’s starting defenders, secure a move to Old Trafford.
