According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof is attracting interest this summer after a fine World Cup. The 23-year-old may well have struggled in his debut season at Old Trafford last time round but he certainly did his bit to help Sweden reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Russia, where they lost 2-0 to England.

And news that interest is mounting in the £22.5 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) should seriously interest Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez, who must seek to join and indeed win the race for the defender in a bid to potentially replace Jamaal Lascelles.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, there has been much talk throughout the summer regarding the future of Magpies captain Lascelles, who enjoyed a magnificent campaign at the heart of the Newcastle backline last term to help them finish tenth in the Premier League.

West Ham have reportedly made a bid for the 24-year-old in a bid to bolster their own defensive ranks, which has been turned down by Benitez’s side, but it’s plausible that further interest and maybe even more offers could come in for Lascelles between now and the deadline.

Thus, Benitez simply must be making plans to replace the centre back if Newcastle do indeed accept an offer this summer, and he should look no further than United’s Lindelof who, after a tough first season in England, more than proved his worth at the World Cup this summer.

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The 23-year-old only made the move to Old Trafford last summer but only went on to make 29 first team appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side last season, just 17 of which came in the Premier League in their run to second place.

However, Lindelof performed for Sweden in this summer’s World Cup like the defender United spent £31 million on 12 months ago in helping his country win their group, which consisted of Germany, and indeed reach the last eight only to lose to England last weekend.

And with two clean sheets in the four games he appeared in, the 23-year-old certainly played a part in the resilience and resolve shown by the Swedes throughout the competition, thus suggesting that he has rebuilt his confidence and as such is ready to produce the goods in England this time round.

And at the tender age of 23, the centre back is certain to improve in the coming years the more football he plays in the Premier League, and with Lascelles potentially on his way out of Newcastle this summer, he could be the ideal replacement for the Englishman.

Thus, with Lindelof linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, Newcastle must seek to join and indeed win the race for the Swedish star in a bid to replace the linked-away Lascelles.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!