The name Victor Lindelof is one that Manchester United fans will have seen a lot more of in recent weeks, as the Swedish defender has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.
While Irish fans will be more familiar with him having seen him play against the boys in green at Euro 2016, his name is not exactly a household one although he has been earning rave reviews over the past 12 months at Benfica.
And it appears that Mourinho's links to the league where he cut his chops as a top manager have alerted him to the potential of Lindelof, as the latest reports from Sweden claim that a deal for the January transfer window was agreed last night.
Robin Blomme, a Swedish journalist and former player, a teammate of Lindelof no less, has today confirmed that a fee of €45m has been agreed for the player, and that he will play his last game for Benfica on Wednesday night.
Enligt mina källor ska Vigge vara klar för Man U för €45 milj. Benficas president stängde affären igår kväll. Gör sin sista match imorgon.
— Robin Blommé (@robinblomme) December 20, 2016
According to my sources, Victor to Man Utd is ready for €45 million. Benfica's president closed the deal last night. He will play his last match tomorrow.
The Swede is a strong defender who is very comfortable on the ball, but for the first time in a very long time it seems as though central defence is not an area of great need in terms of strengthening in the transfer window.
Manchester United suffer a defensive injury crisis every year, but by signing Eric Bailly last summer and with Daley Blind growing more comfortable in the position, this year that crisis has seen actual centre-backs in Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones being turned to in times of need, than midfielders and fullbacks as we've seen in the past.
Furthermore, the pair have played so well that there is an argument that they should be first choice, but if Mourinho is targeting Lindelof then clearly he feels he can improve his options at the position. The form of the other defenders already at the club should actually afford the new signing time to adjust rather than be thrown straight into first-team action, although Eric Bailly didn't seem to mind at all.
We'll wait and see if official confirmation follows soon, and it will be worth keeping an eye on Lindelof tomorrow night, as if he waves to the crowd or something twitter will be in overdrive.
