The summer transfer window is closed, however, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is already making plans for the transfers in January. If reports are to be believed, the Blues are looking to bring in Benfica defender Victor Lindelöf in January.
Chelsea were linked with Lindelöf through the summer, however, Conte had to settle with Marcos Alonso and David Luiz as last-minute additions to the squad. The Blues manager is not satisfied with his squad strength in defensive positions and has already started planning for the winter transfer window, during which the Blues will move in to sign Lindelof.
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The 22-year-old defender started his career at Västerås SK, making his debut for the club in September 2010. He went on to join Benfica in December 2011. The player’s contract at Benfica is set to expire in 2020 after he signed a new deal at the club in June 2015.
Lindelof made his debut in the first team for Benfica in October 2013 during the Portuguese cup win against CD Cinfaes. He was a regular feature in the first team for Benfica last season and has turned into one of the key player’s for the club, owing to his consistent form and some terrific performances.
The Swedish international has started in all of Benfica’s games this season.
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However, the player will not come cheap for the Blues as Benfica will not entertain bids less than the £25m release clause in his current contract at the Portuguese club, which Chelsea were close to triggering in July, before they turned their attention to Napoli ace Kalidou Koulibaly.
Benfica are reluctant to let go of the player, and may offer the player a new deal, to ward off potential suitors, which may see his release clause go even higher, most probably up to £45m.
Moreover, Chelsea will face stiff competition from Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain for the player’s signature. A bidding war can be expected during the winter transfer window for the young defender as all the clubs involved have strong financial backup and it will be interesting to see who will be able to secure Lindelof’s move.
The 22-year-old defender has also been capped six times for Sweden and will provide the Italian manager a long term option at the back, as John Terry has less than a year to his contract and Gary Cahill will turn 31 in December.
