Chelsea have reportedly joined rivals Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the race to sign SL Benfica’s Portuguese superstar Nelson Semedo.
Portuguese publication A Bola have claimed that Chelsea are showing interest in SL Benfica superstar Nelson Semedo. The Portuguese international has been on the radar of Manchester United for a long time, with Bayern Munich also eyeing a move for the right-back. But they now face competition from Chelsea.
Nelson Semedo’s exploits with SL Benfica have drawn the interest of top European clubs. The 23-year-old right-back has gone about his defensive duties with aplomb. 2 goals and 6 assists so far this season are not bad numbers for a defender.
Jose Mourinho has been deploying Antonio Valencia as his first-choice right-back at Old Trafford up until now, with Matteo Darmian being used sporadically on the left side of the defence.
While the Ecuadorian has done a more than able job, Mourinho is known to prefer specialists at each position, with the Portuguese boss linked with several top right-backs across the globe.
Manchester United have been linked with a double raid of SL Benfica for Semedo and Lindelof as well. And now, it seems Chelsea have joined the fray. Chelsea have deployed a rejuvenated Victor Moses as the right wing-back and the former Wigan man has shown his quality by producing consistently good displays.
But there is a general consensus that Chelsea lack depth in the wing-back position with Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses the only two present in the squad. Cesar Azpilicueta has been converted into a right-sided centre-half by Conte while Willian remains the only other viable option.
In such a scenario, Chelsea have been linked with a foray into the transfer market for a wing-back and it seems they have now stumbled across Semedo. But Chelsea and Manchester United are not the only one in for Semedo.
As reported earlier, Bayern Munich have also entered the fray. Ancelotti has the likes of Lahm and Rafinha at his disposal, both of whom are at the wrong side of 30. With doubts over their longevity, they are also interested in bringing Semedo over to the Allianz Arena.
United have been plotting a £35 million swoop for Semedo and a bid around the mentioned amount might be necessary for SL Benfica to consider selling the 23-year-old. And all the three parties are unlikely to balk at the proposition of shelving out such an amount for a long-term addition to their roster.
It will be interesting to see if any of the clubs move for a January transfer, given SL Benfica’s own title challenge. Semedo, though, seems set for a move to one of the European Elites in the recent future.
