Is Victor Lindelof about to become Manchester United’s first summer signing?

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The Daily Mail report that Manchester United have completed their first summer signing, with Victor Lindelof arriving for £30.7 million. This story seems a little premature as a medical haven’t been completed and personal terms haven’t been agreed, but it does suggest that the deal is far along and looking likely at this stage.

It makes a move for Michael Keane less likely, as they don’t need to sign two new centre-backs this summer. A number nine will become the priority now as the club need to replace the goals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

What will he bring to Manchester United?

For those that haven’t seen Lindelof play, he is a powerful centre-back who is great with his feet. His pass accuracy in Liga NOS last season was 90% and that underlines the quality that he possesses with the ball at his feet. The Swede rarely gives the ball away and he has an eye for launching an attack from deep.

At times last season, United lacked a defender capable of passing out from the back and that is why they have targeted the Benfica centre back. Paul Pogba needs to get on the ball as much as possible and he will be helped by playing alongside a defender capable of finding him.

Although he does have a tall frame, Lindelof is not a slouch and he is more than capable of beating an attacker for pace. His ability to recover when caught out of position is a huge strength and will have attracted Jose Mourinho to him. Furthermore, he is a good tackler who rarely mistimes a challenge. Last season, he received only one yellow card for Benfica, showing his impressive discipline on the pitch.

His age means that he does still possess some youthful exuberance at the back and that can translate into errors in the defensive third. However, these can be worked on and won’t be seen as a major issue for Mourinho. Lindelof has the physicality and the technique to develop into a top centre back and he will be a good signing for United if it is completed.

How likely is a move?

It is being widely reported and that suggests that a move is far along in the timeline. The transfer could be completed as soon as this week and that would be great for United, as it is better to get business done early. Mourinho will be eyeing up a title challenge and this deal would give the team momentum heading into pre-season.

Lindelof does look likely to be playing at Old Trafford next season. It is difficult to believe that the move is fully completed, as the report above states, but it does seem to be only a matter of time. BBC Sport have picked up on the story and they only report news that is completely accurate. Deals can be thrown into disarray if one party begins to shift the goalposts or if another club make a move. However, in terms of the Lindelof deal, that looks unlikely and he should become United’s first signing of the summer.