Manchester United have opened talks with Benfica over the signing of star centre-back Victor Lindelof.

That's according to Duncan Castles in the Daily Mirror, who stated the Sweden international is the top defensive priority for Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho in the January transfer window. Benfica reportedly value Lindelof at a whopping £50 million.

On paper, Lindelof has a lot of attributes that suggest he'd be a brilliant long-term partner for Eric Bailly at United. Here's what the 22-year-old could bring to the Premier League:

While the Ivory Coast international is robust and aggressive in the way he approaches his defending, the Benfica man operates with a more cerebral style. Lindelof's main strength is his sharp reading of the game and a positional sense that belies what are tender years for a central defender.

Additionally, the Swede is exceptional in possession, able to carry the ball into midfield or play long, raking passes out wide.

The defensive structure of the United team has looked far from secure under Mourinho. ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney recently commented on how brittle this facet of the side has been:

Bailly impressed in his early-season displays for the Red Devils, although those playing next to him have yet to totally convince. The likes of Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo arguably aren't good enough to forge a title-winning team upon.

Lindelof could be, and although he has improvements to make in his game, the potential is undoubtedly there for him to become a world-class operator. The £50 million asking price would surely pose something of a stumbling block, though.

Ronald Koeman Tight-Lipped on Morgan Schneiderlin

Everton manager Ronald Koeman refused to comment on speculation linking his team with a move for United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, saying he doesn't want to upset Mourinho.

"If I speak about players, then I don't tell you," said the Dutchman when quizzed on Schneiderlin, per Phil Kirkbride of the Liverpool Echo. "I think every team is analysing the situation in the club, and if we need players, we will work on signing new players. I won't make a second mistake, and Jose is angry with me again for speaking about a player of Man United."

As noted in the piece, Koeman is referring to his public declaration of interest in the Red Devils' out-of-favour winger Memphis Depay. Mourinho consequently criticised the Everton boss for discussing the player in the press.

Per Kirkbride, Everton have been linked with a move for Schneiderlin ahead of the January window. Ell Bretland of the Daily Mail thinks the France international would be a brilliant acquisition for the Toffees:

The 27-year-old doesn't look like he has a future at Old Trafford. This season, he's played just 11 minutes of football in the Premier League spread across three substitute appearances, with Mourinho looking to the likes of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick in midfield.

A move to Goodison Park would make sense for Schneiderlin. Under Koeman at Southampton, he was one of the standout midfielders in English football, while he could also remain in the north-west. He'd become a key man for Everton and an ideal long-term replacement for veteran Gareth Barry.