Manchester United given green light to sign Atletico Madrid star

Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for defender Victor Lindelof during the January transfer window. The Swedish defender was reportedly on the verge of joining the Red Devils for around £38 million. Ultimately, this high transfer fee seems to have worked against the player.

United were also keeping tabs on Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez during the winter period, and it is understood that the club are now prepared to move in for his services.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Mancunian giants have been given the green signal to sign the highly-rated defender with Atleti boss Diego Simeone willing to see the exit of the player.

Gimenez has been starved of first-team opportunities and he has made just 19 appearances this season with Simeone in favour of Stefan Savic and Diego Godin for the centre-back partnership.

There is little doubt that the Atletico defender is one of the highly rated talents in European football. Still only 22 years old, he is seen as the next big thing in the world of defenders. Yet, he is not fully convinced with his situation at the Vicente Calderon.

Gimenez currently has a £56m release clause in his contract, and as per Mundo Deportivo, Jose Mourinho would not hesitate to move in for the player as he prepares to partner him alongside Eric Bailly next term.