Manchester United have held transfer talks with Benfica over Victor Lindelof

Manchester United are keen on signing Victor Lindelof

Manchester United have held initial discussions with Benfica over a £38m move for defender Victor Lindelof.

Benfica had been reluctant to sell the Sweden centre-back after qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Champions League but it now appears a deal could be reached.

Sky sources in Portugal have confirmed that United have opened talks with Benfica's president Luis Filipe Vieira.

SSNHQ reported last month that Lindelof was United's top target going into the winter transfer window.

Lindelof celebrates after scoring in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria

Eric Bailly is injured and will set off for the Africa Cup of Nations in January with Ivory Coast, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones haven't long returned from injury.

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Boss Jose Mourinho has indicated that he is ready to sell in January. Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger have all been linked with moves away from Old Trafford.

Lindelof began his career with Vasteras SK in the lower tiers of Swedish football, but signed for Benfica as a 17-year-old in December 2011.

He broke into the Portuguese club's first team in January this year and helped them win the domestic title. He went on to play in all three of Sweden's games in Euro 2016, and has now won 11 caps for his country.