Manchester United are reportedly set to trigger an extension in Victor Lindelof’s contract, but they could still cash in on the centre-back next summer amid fresh AC Milan links.
According to Teamtalk, Manchester United star and AC Milan target Victor Lindelof could be set to secure a significant pay rise, with the club preparing to extend the 29-year-old’s contract by triggering a 12-month option written into his current deal.
Lindelof has been on Manchester United’s books since sealing a £31 million move from Portuguese giants Benfica six years ago, and he has gone on to make 241 appearances for the club.
He penned a contract extension two years later but has since lost his starting spot, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez being the preferred partnership for manager Erik ten Hag.
After playing a bit-part role, he was offered a route back into the first team following Varane and Martinez’s serious injuries and put in a string of strong showings in the heart of the backline towards the back end of last season.
This season, the Swede’s performances have been less impressive, having featured all over the back-line for United, helping out Erik ten Hag’s side during the latest injury crisis.
While Ten Hag could have attempted to cash in on the Sweden international ahead of the summer’s September 1 deadline, the Red Devils were focused on offloading Harry Maguire instead after the Englishman fell out of favour under Ten Hag.
Lindelof only has eight months left on his £120k-per-week contract, although United do have the option to extend the Sweden international’s deal for a further year until 2025, and as per Teamtalk, they are preparing to activate that. The extension is also believed to include a significant wage rise to around £140k-per-week.
However, rather than being an antecedent to a longer stay for the 29-year-old, it is said to be a way for United to recoup a healthier fee when they sell Lindelof over the 2024 summer transfer window.
As things stand, the Sweden captain would be free to speak to other clubs in January with a view to a summer switch. Inter Milan have previously shown an interest in the defender, while fierce rivals AC Milan are also reportedly keen.
Milan’s original idea would be to sign Lindelof as a free agent, but in case the player extends his deal by another year at Old Trafford, the Rossoneri are confident they can land the Manchester United defender for €15 million as they prepare for life without veteran centre-back Simon Kjaer.
The Denmark international has been a great servant for Milan over the years, but the 34-year-old will apparently leave the club when his contract expires next summer. Milan boss Stefano Pioli is already looking for a replacement, and Lindelof fits the criteria thanks to his ball-playing and leadership attributes.
