Manchester United 'make £38m bid for defender Victor Lindelof'

Manchester United have reportedly made a formal bid for Victor Lindelof after tracking the Benfica defender for the past few months.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the 22-year-old in recent weeks and had been tipped to make a big-money move when the transfer window reopens.

According to The Mirror, Jose Mourinho was recently given the green light to place a £34m upfront offer on the table, with the rest of the fee for the Sweden international based on success-related bonuses.

It is claimed that United scouts have been regular visitors to Benfica's Stadium of Light ground in recent weeks, taking in the meeting with Sporting Lisbon earlier this month which proved enough to put the wheels in motion for an approach to be made.

Lindelof is said to have a £30m buyout clause written into his contract, but that can only be triggered at the end of the season and Mourinho is keen to move now to avoid stern competition next summer.