Man Utd in for £51m Benfica defender Grimaldo

Manchester United could be about to make a move for highly rated Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, according to reports.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Manchester United could be set to make a mammoth bid for Benfica’s Spanish left-back Alex Grimaldo, as manager Jose Mourinho looks to boost his defensive options.

Grimaldo signed from Benfica for just £1.25 million in January from FC Barcelona, and to date has only made nine appearances in the Portuguese Premeira Division.

The 21-year-old Spain under-21 international has a huge £51 million release clause written into his contract, meaning that if United are serious about landing the young defender, they’d have to be prepared to hand out a hefty sum.

However, The Red Devils are currently well stocked in the left back positions, with 21-year-old England defender Luke Shaw returning to full fitness this season after missing miost of the previous campaign due to a broken leg suffered in a Champions League group stage fixture against PSV.

Mourinho is also able to call upon the versatile Dutch international Daley Blind, who has featured at left-back this season as well as centre-back, and can even play in midfield.

Furthermore, the Old Trafford club also have the option of fielding 2014 World Cup finalist and former Sporting Clube de Portugal defender Marcos Rojo on the left side of defence.