Man Utd join chase for £26m-rated Chelsea target

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to lodge an attempt to sign Benfica's Victor Lindelof in January. The Swede has transformed into a key player for the Primeira Liga outfit following a couple of seasons with the reserve side.

Lindelof had been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer, but a deal failed to materialize.

According to Portuguese source A Bola, the Special One is lining up an approach for the Swedish defender with the right-back spot needing some strengthening in the New Year.

Lindelof currently has a £26m release clause in his contract, and United will seek to trigger the sum amid the uncertain future of Matteo Darmian.

Darmian is believed to have agreed personal terms over a switch to Inter Milan, and his departure is likely to leave a void in the right side of the defence.

The 22-year-old can feature at either centre-back or right-back, and his arrival could provide some competition to Antonio Valencia (currently injured), who is undoubtedly the first choice under Mourinho.