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Manchester United enter race with Chelsea to sign £25m defender in January - reports
MANCHESTER UNITED have joined Chelsea in the race to sign Benfica defender Victor Lindelof, according to reports.
Benfica defender Victor Lindelof in action against Torino in the Eusebio Cup
The 22-year-old was linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer with manager Antonio Conte keen to bolster his defensive ranks.
Conte eventually turned to David Luiz, bringing him back to Stamford Bridge in a £32million deal from Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce
But with Kurt Zouma still fighting to get fit after suffering a horrific knee injury and 35-year-old John Terry also struggling for fitness, Conte could turn to the Sweden international.
However, Portuguese newspaper A Bola claim Conte will face competition for Lindelof's signature with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho keen on securing a January deal.
Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez in action against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League
The Portuguese boss is in desperate need of reinforcements at centre-back, with injuries to Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling leaving him short for options.
The Daily Mail say Mourinho has made Lindelof a priority target along with Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez.
Lindelof is contracted to Benfica until 2020 and has a £25million release clause.
A Bola add that Juventus, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the Swede, who has kept five clean sheets in his last 10 Primeira Liga appearances.