United clinch £30m deal to sign defender from Benfica

Manchester United last night agreed a £30 million deal to sign Swedish defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica.

The 22-year-old is on international duty but is expected to undergo his medical on Wednesday before becoming United’s first signing of the summer on a five-year deal. Lindelof has been a long-standing target at United, having flourished in recent seasons with the Portuguese giants.

“Manchester United is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof, subject to a medical examination, international clearance and personal terms,” the club tweeted. “A further announcement will be made once the transfer is complete.”

Real Madrid striker Álvaro Morata is among United’s other targets.

Chelsea are closing in on a £35million deal to sign Tiemoué Bakayoko from Monaco with the midfielder expected to travel to England to complete the switch.

Head coach Antonio Conte identified Bakayoko as one of his main summer targets some months ago and Chelsea have made significant progress on the transfer over the past few days.

Chelsea officially opened talks with Monaco over Bakayoko last month, but negotiations had slowed down over the Ligue 1 club’s £43 million valuation and the 22-year-old’s wage demands.

A breakthrough over the fee has now been made and Bakayoko is ready to accept the terms on offer and undergo a medical.

Chelsea’s move for Bakayoko also sparked talks over striker Michy Batshuayi moving to Monaco, either on loan or permanently.

Batshuayi prefers a move to Monaco to the prospect of joining Everton, who are also interested in the Belgian, but Chelsea may be reluctant to let him go until they are sure of clinching Romelu Lukaku from Everton.

Chelsea are in talks with Everton over Lukaku, who is desperate to return to Stamford Bridge in time to go on pre-season tour with Conte’s squad.

Bakayoko’s scheduled arrival will raise question marks over the future of Nemanja Matic, who has been linked with Juventus and Manchester United.