Earlier this week, after injury ruled him out of September’s Nations League fixtures, Manchester United’s £30 million man was left feeling ‘so disappointed’.
But with a deadline day exit seemingly unlikely, Sweden captain Victor Lindelof had better get used to watching on from the sidelines.
Because while an injury has prevented him from being involved for either club or country so far, Manchester United’s long-serving centre-half is likely to find himself restricted to cup cameos and Europa League outings when he is back to full fitness.
Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and summer recruits Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt have pushed Lindelof down to fifth in Erik ten Hag’s pecking order.
And while the Daily Mail did throw a few names into the mix a couple of days ago – insisting that there is interest in Lindelof from mainland Europe – the lack of movement heading towards Friday’s 11pm deadline raises the possibility of the former Benfica man sticking around and potentially leaving Old Trafford as a free agent in 2025.
Victor Lindelof likely to stay at Manchester United
Alongside Fiorentina and Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio were one of the clubs mentioned by The Mail.
But after trying and failing to lure Mason Greenwood to Rome back in July – they made a £22 million bid only for the forward to opt for Marseille – Lazio, ironically, appear to have found their new centre-half at the Stade Velodrome.
Fabrizio Romano reports on X that Samuel Gigot will join Marco Baroni’s side for a fee of around £3 million from Marseille.
Formerly of Gent and Spartak Moscow, 30-year-old Gigot should become a Lazio player by the time the deadline arrives on Friday night.
And, presuming that the Biancocelesti only have room for one highly-experienced central defender, Lazio are surely out of the race for Lindelof at this stage.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano insists that Lindelof – who joined Man United during the Jose Mourinho era back in 2017 – was never intrigued by the prospect of leaving Old Trafford for Serie A anyway.
The FA Cup and EFL Cup winner appears keen to stay and fight for his place. And even if that looks to be a fight he is certain to lose, clearly he and his wife are settled in England and are in no particular desire for a change of scenery.
Saudi Pro League clubs are interested
“I can tell you that on Lindelof, I saw many fake stories this summer,” Romano explains. “Fake stories from Turkey in June, fake stories from Italy.
“Lindelof never considered (moving to Lazio or Fiorentina) a possibility. For Lindelof, it has always been a quiet summer, despite all the rumours. He’s very happy to stay at Manchester United, unless an important, big proposal comes.
“He’s very happy to stay at United and then maybe leave on a free transfer next summer.”
This might have been a bit of a disaster for the Red Devils.
Fortunately, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek, Willy Kambwala and Greenwood all leaving amongst others – and with Scott McTominay due to join Napoli in the very near future – Man United have already raised enough funds to bring in four potential starters with Manuel Ugarte likely to join Yoro, De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui in the north west.
Should Lindelof change his mind on a potential departure, however, the Saudi Pro League option will remain on the table until early October.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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