Bayern Munich have reportedly entered the race to sign Nelson Semedo and are set to challenge Barcelona and Manchester United for the SL Benfica defender.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo have joined the race to sign Nelson Semedo. The Bundesliga heavyweights are now looking all set to rival fellow European giants Barcelona and Manchester United in pursuit of the SL Benfica right-back.
Nelson Semedo doesn’t seem to have any shortage of suitors. Perhaps, that’s what an impressive campaign for a Portuguese club does for a young player, because he has four of the biggest clubs in Europe tailing him.
The 23-year-old Semedo has been an ever present at the back for Benfica all season, and has shown exemplary skills at both end of the park to become a key figure for the Portuguese club. Bombing down the right flank, he has been a handy contributor in attack with two goals and eight assists in all competitions.
His performances at the Estadio da Luz haven’t gone unnoticed either, with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United all heavily linked with a move for the fullback.
In fact, earlier this month it was looking increasingly likely that Semedo had inched a step closer to joining Manchester United as it was reported that the Red Devils had agreed a deal in principle to bring the right-back to Old Trafford for £35 million.
Manchester United are reported to be looking for a long-term solution at right-back despite Antonio Valencia making the position his own under Jose Mourinho. And Semedo has been identified as that target with the youngster showing great aptitude for Benfica.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also rumoured to be in the market for defensive reinforcements, and Semedo was reported to be a prime target for the right wing-back slot. Semedo’s attacking abilities and numbers have shown that he can be the perfect fit in that role in Antonio Conte’s system, while being better defensively than Victor Moses.
Barcelona were the latest club to enter the fray to sign Semedo earlier this week, with the right-back slot being one of the weak links in an otherwise strong side. Sergi Roberto has impressed at times in that role for Luis Enrique’s side, but Aleix Vidal has largely struggled at Camp Nou ever since moving from Sevilla.
Bayern have told Benfica they intend to buy Nélson Semedo, who they see as the ideal replacement for Lahm, at the end of the season. [OJogo] pic.twitter.com/k8jjxzkH61
— Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) February 9, 2017
Semedo was, thus, identified as a player who would not only be a player who will add consistency at the back but also provide more potency in attack.
Now, Bayern Munich have re-entered the race to sign Semedo, having previously been reported to have been interested in him. The report states that the shock retirement announcement by Philip Lahm earlier this week have seen them accelerate their efforts to sign a long-term replacement for their captain.
Rafinha will also be entering the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich next season, and thus the potential acquisition of Semedo provides Ancelotti with a long-term solution at right-back.
So, a summer transfer battle for Semedo seems to be building up slowly. It now remains to be seen which way the talented 23-year-old heads off to, with no shortage of suitors for him.
