English Premier League kicks off with thrilling action: Weekend 1 overview
With new players, coaches and newly appointed captains from respective clubs, let’s analyse the matches that happened this opening English Premier League weekend.
English giants Manchester United have made Benfica defender Victor Lindelof the first signing of the summer, the club confirmed on Saturday night.
“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,” a statement on the website read.
While they have not disclosed the transfer fee, it is said to be around £30.7 million, making the 22-year-old centre-back the most expensive defender to ever have moved to the Red Devils.
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United signed Rio Ferdinand for £29.3 million in 2002 and the English defender remained the club’s most expensive defender until Jose Mourinho signed Ivorian Eric Bailly in 2016 for a sum of £30 million.
Lindelof came up from the Benfica youth academy, moving to Benfica B and then finally the main team in 2013. He was an integral part of their double-winning side in the 2016-17 season and United were reportedly targeting him since January 2017.
Born on 17 July 1994, the 6’2 centre-back made his debut for the Swedish national side in 2016 and has made 12 appearances since for them since then.
His arrival, however, will complicate matters for English centre-backs Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, as they might be deemed surplus to requirements by United manager Jose Mourinho.
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