Victor Lindelof joins Manchester United and Alvaro Morata is set to be next

Posted Thursday, June 15, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Benfica ace Victor Lindelof joined Manchester United. Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata could follow

Lindelof was last night tying up the loose ends of his move from Benfica after undergoing a medical.

The Swedish defender, 22, arrived at United's Carrington training ground to seal the four-year deal to become boss Jose Mourinho's first summer signing.

Mourinho plans to partner Lindelof with Eric Bailly in a central defence ravaged by injury problems over the last 12 months.

And he said: "Victor is a very talented young player, who has a great future ahead of him at United."

"Our season last year showed us that we need options and quality to add depth to the squad and Victor is the first to join us this summer."

"I know that our fantastic group of players will welcome him as one of us."

Lindelof said: "I am thrilled to be joining Manchester United."

"I have enjoyed my time at Benfica enormously and I have learned a lot there."

"But I’m looking forward to playing in the Premier League at Old Trafford and for Jose Mourinho and make my contribution to the team’s efforts to win more trophies."

Real Madrid's Morata has become Mourinho's chief target up front after hopes of signing Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann ended.

Manchester United are hopeful of talking down Real from their £78m valuation to get a deal done for around £65m.

His agent Juanma Lopez was meeting with Real officials last night in a bid to push the move closer to completion.

And the Spain international is keen to make the move because of his good relationship with Mourinho and the offer of regular games at a Champions League club.

Mourinho brought Morata through the ranks at Real, handing him a senior debut as an 18-year-old in December 2010.

Morata, 24, returned to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer after two seasons with Juventus.

But he has been unable to force his way into a forward line dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, making just 19 starts across all competitions.

United's qualification for the Champions League - achieved by winning the Europa League last month - has made them a more attractive prospect for top talent.

Mourinho sees it as a priority to bring in a leading frontman to replace last season's 28-goal top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede has not been offered a contract extension after suffering a serious knee injury in April.