Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Victor Lindelof, Ramon Carvalho Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly suffered a setback in their pursuit of Benfica defender Victor Lindelof after his agent claimed the player is happy in Lisbon. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are said to be inspecting Brazilian youngster Ramon Carvalho.

Although Lindelof's representative, Hasan Cetinakaya, failed to rule out a potential January transfer, the agent did inform Portuguese newspaper A Bola (h/t Daily Star's Marc Williams) the centre-back could remain with the Eagles:

"

There's a lot of speculation, of course, and as I've said before, Victor is already playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

He's fighting for titles, he plays in the Champions League, and he's very happy at Benfica at the moment.

Of course there are clubs that are aware of what he has done at Benfica. Victor has done very good things here. But we have a very good relationship with the president [Luis Filipe Vieira] and he will make a decision for Benfica.

"

The 22-year-old has excelled since moving to the Estadio da Luz in 2012, making his first senior appearance for the club in 2013 before developing to become a key component in their starting XI.

It also helps Lindelof's case that he's received a public endorsement from Sweden team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is already based at Old Trafford after joining United last summer, per Williams:

"

I think Victor is doing great things, he is playing good for Benfica, he gets a lot of responsibility for the national team now, he is growing.

I think he's good enough for the big clubs out there. It's up to him what he wants. Whatever he chooses will be good for him.

I know he is hot on the market so let him make the right choice, what fits him good.

"

United manager Jose Mourinho already made improvements to his back line this past summer by bringing in central defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal, but the Ivorian has been sidelined with a knee injury since late October.

The Red Devils have had to be creative in defence as a result, with Chris Smalling also sidelined recently, leading to the likes of Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Daley Blind forming makeshift partnerships at the back.

Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Lindelof has earned 11 caps for Sweden since making his senior international debut in March of this year.

There's no mention of a transfer fee in Williams' report, although Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen confirmed in October that Lindelof's former club Vasteras wouldn't be due a sell-on fee from any deal:

That factor stands to work in United's favour if they did pursue a transfer, as it would mean a greater majority of the fee involved would go to Benfica and thus could potentially lower their demands for letting the player leave.

It also helps their cause that Ibrahimovic is already doing his bit to lure his compatriot to the Premier League, where Lindelof could be an asset to the Red Devils either in central defence or in a deep-lying midfield role.

Meanwhile, Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness reported United had scouts on hand to watch Internacional midfielder Ramon in a recent Copa Ipiranga Sub-20 fixture against Corinthians, where he made two assists.

Ramon, 19, signed a one-year contract with Internacional in March, meaning he could be snapped up for a pittance if a move to Manchester appeals, although it's mentioned obtaining a work permit could be a concern for the starlet.