Journalist Rudy Galetti claims that Jose Mourinho is interested in moving Manchester United player Victor Lindelof to AS Roma during the January transfer window (h/t ThePeoplesPerson).
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea and Japhet Tanganga of Tottenham Hotspur are both on the manager’s short list of potential new center-backs for the Stadio Olimpico. Mourinho has previously collaborated with Tanganga and Lindelof.
When he was the manager of Manchester United, he paid £31 million to SL Benfica in the summer of 2017 to acquire the Sweden international. Tanganga, meanwhile, made his senior Spurs debut under Mourinho. In January 2020, he did so in a 1-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool.
Due to the signing of Lisandro Martinez from Ajax this season, Lindelof has slipped down the hierarchy. Martinez and Raphael Varane have been Erik ten Hag’s go-to center-back pairings.
In the last four league games, captain Harry Maguire has started on the bench, and Lindelof has failed to play a minute of domestic football this season. His lone outing for Ten Hag occurred on September 8 against Real Sociedad in a 1-0 UEFA Europa League defeat.
When Manchester United defeated Sheriff by a score of 2-0 on Thursday night, he was again benched (September 15). It is clear that if Lindelof stays at Old Trafford, he will have difficulty getting consistent playing time.
He would anticipate playing frequently at age 28 as opposed to simply warming the bench. In the summer of 2024, his Old Trafford contract will come to an end.
Manchester United needs to be cautious not to sag in the back.
If United allowed Lindelof to go in the January transfer window without having a replacement in place, that would be unexpected. Because Phil Jones was left off of their 25-man Premier League roster for the season, they presently have four senior center backs in their ranks.
If Lindelof leaves, United might have a defensive shortage if Maguire, Varane, or Martinez are hurt or suspended. Teen Mengi, 20, is still too young and inexperienced to play for the first team.
Ten Hag must decide whether to keep Lindelof on the club for the conclusion of the season or look for a successor in the market. The Swede made 37 appearances in all competitions during the 2021–22 season, proving his value.
