Manchester United Transfer News: Victor Lindelof and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly lodged a £38 million bid for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof.

According to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror, while the defender has a £30 million buyout clause in his contract that becomes active in the summer, the Red Devils want to bring the Sweden international to Old Trafford in January. The fee is said to consist of an initial £34 million, with a further £4 million in potential add-ons.

"United scouts have been regular visitors to Benfica’s Stadium of Light, and after watching Lindelof in action in the local derby victory over Sporting Lisbon last weekend, the Reds made their interest official," Mullock noted.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise in 2016, cementing his status as a key man for Benfica and one of European football’s brightest prospects. Here is a glimpse of what he’s capable of:

According to Mullock, Lindelof is ready to make the move to the Premier League in January and increase United’s options at the back, with the Red Devils looking to push toward the division’s top four places.

Benfica are said to be reluctant to cash in on a player who's become so important to their cause, especially as they have a UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund to come in 2017. However, a sizeable offer could convince the Portuguese giants to cash in.

Jan Hagen of Sport Witness believes Lindelof has the ability to go to the top of the game:

"

@CIassyMkhi Huge fan. I think Lindelöf could do a decent job for any club in the world.

— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) December 14, 2016"

Although Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones have played superbly at centre-back for United as of late, there is a recognition among the United fanbase that the pair is unlikely to be the long-term solution under manager Jose Mourinho.

The club will surely look to structure the defence around Eric Bailly, and, as another young, composed and improving centre-back, Lindelof would be another vital building block at the Theatre of Dreams.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Set for United Stay

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According to Simon Jones of the Mail on Sunday, United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic will turn down a potential £120 million offer from China to stay at Old Trafford for another campaign.

In the report, it’s suggested the Chinese government would be happy to fund a pursuit of the 35-year-old forward, such is his marketability, and then position him with a high-profile team in the country. Ibrahimovic was apparently offered £56 million to move there last summer, and his exploits in the Premier League are said to have increased the the government's desire to bring him to China.

However, Jones also noted United have offered the striker a contract extension and that the man himself wants to stick around.

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

That news will delight those tied to the Red Devils, as Ibrahimovic has been a huge hit since making his switch to the Premier League. His brace against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday put him on 11 league goals for the season. It’s been quite the year for the striker:

Although Ibrahimovic isn’t a long-term option for the club, the United fans are enjoying him while they can. Though the majority of players his age would be thinking of winding down their playing days, 2016 has arguably been the finest year of the Swede’s sensational career.

Mourinho will be hoping there’s more to come from him yet, and why not? Ibrahimovic remains in impeccable condition, is playing in a division that suits his attributes and is clearly relishing the challenge of leading the line for the Red Devils.