Football
Exclusive: Barcelona Plot Surprise Move for Man Utd’s Victor Lindelof, West Ham and Brentford Also Keen
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is set to leave Old Trafford this summer after a lack of playing time. The club is planning a major clearout, with Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans also expected to depart. The team is looking to improve its defense and Lindelof's contract expires in June.
Newcastle United FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League by Visionhaus | Getty Images
Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is likely to be on his way out of the Old Trafford exit door this summer, SportsBoom sources can reveal.
The Sweden international has started just three games all season in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old centre-back has only played ten Premier League games in total this season, with seven of those coming as a second half substitute.
After such a lack of first-team action, it’s perhaps unsurprising the experienced defender is readying himself for pastures new with big summer clearout expected by the Red Devils.
England full-back Luke Shaw is tipped to follow Lindelof out of the club having been plagued by troublesome injuries, while veteran Jonny Evans is not expected to have his short-term contract renewed.
Lindelof hasn’t been helped by injuries this season, which have also significantly limited his availability.
But regardless, United boss Ruben Amorim is desperate to strengthen his leaky defence, one which has shipped an alarming 45 goals in 32 league games this term to leave them languishing in 14th position in the table.
NIGHTMARE NIGHT
Lindelof endured a nightmare performance as Amorim’s side were thumped 4-1 by Newcastle United in his last outing.
It is understood the club are keen to sign Everton’s sought-after centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 22-year-old centre-back is believed to be the perfect player to help sure up the defence – and would be an investment for the future having made his senior England debut earlier this season.
Lindelof’s deal expires in June and a number of other clubs are understood to be interested in signing him, with Barcelona, West Ham and Brentford having expressed an interest in his services.
This is Lindelof’s eighth season at United and the lowest number of games he has played in his entire career at Old Trafford.
United shelled out £30.7million for the defender from Portuguese outfit Benfica in June 2017, plus £8.8million payable based performance incentives.
He was former manager Jose Mourinho’s preferred centre-back and penned a new deal in September 2019, but – in the last two seasons especially – he has fallen down the pecking order with new players having taken his place.
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