Manchester United Defender Victor Lindelöf Eyes Potential Exit
Manchester United’s Victor Lindelöf is reportedly likely to leave the club at the end of the season, with speculation already mounting about his next destination. The Swedish defender, who joined United in the summer of 2017 with high expectations, took a full season to cement his place as a starter under managers Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
However, injuries since 2022 have seen Lindelöf fall down the pecking order. Although his contract was extended by 12 months last season, he has managed just 11 appearances totaling 407 minutes in the 2024/25 campaign. With a fully fit squad, Lindelöf is now considered the fifth-choice centre-back behind Lisandro Martínez, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Matthijs de Ligt.
A free transfer looms as a possibility when his contract expires, and Portuguese outlet Record has suggested that a return to his former club Benfica could be on the cards. Lindelöf, who left his hometown team Västerås in Sweden’s lower leagues to join Benfica at just 18, is said to have maintained strong ties with Portugal. According to Record, the Lisbon club is “keeping an eye” on the defender, with Lindelöf reportedly open to a reunion.
In fact, The Times has indicated that preliminary talks between Lindelöf and Benfica have already begun, though negotiations are not yet advanced. The 30-year-old is reportedly “high on their shortlist of targets” and could step in to fill the potential void left by Nicolas Otamendi’s expected departure. The Argentine defender, formerly of Manchester City, recently turned 37 and is tipped to return to his homeland.
Additionally, Benfica’s Antonio Silva continues to attract interest from top European clubs, including Juventus, which could further open up opportunities for Lindelöf to reintegrate into the squad.
Lindelöf’s potential move marks a possible return to familiar surroundings, offering him a fresh start after a challenging spell at Manchester United.
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