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For Benfica, it’s business as usual with transfers, titles

FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, Benfica's Victor Lindelof, right, stops Besiktas' Talisca during the Champions League group B soccer match between Benfica and Besiktas at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. Benfica seems to be staying atop the Portuguese league Tuesday Dec. 27, 2016, although central defender Lindelof is rumoured to be likely to make a move away from the club when the January transfer market opens. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, FILE)
FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, Benfica's Victor Lindelof, right, stops Besiktas' Talisca during the Champions League group B soccer match between Benfica and Besiktas at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. Benfica seems to be staying atop the Portuguese league Tuesday Dec. 27, 2016, although central defender Lindelof is rumoured to be likely to make a move away from the club when the January transfer market opens. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, FILE) FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, Benfica's Victor Lindelof, right, stops Besiktas' Talisca during the Champions League group B soccer match between Benfica and Besiktas at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. Benfica seems to be staying atop the Portuguese league Tuesday Dec. 27, 2016, although central defender Lindelof is rumoured to be likely to make a move away from the club when the January transfer market opens. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, FILE)

By Associated Press 4 min read

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Another rising talent turned into a profit. Another title on the horizon.

It’s a scenario Benfica’s fans are more than accustomed to: watching their club perform its masterful balancing act of staying atop the Portuguese league while transacting smart business deals.

When the January transfer market opens, one of the leading candidates likely to be on the move in Europe is Benfica’s central defender Victor Lindelof, who is widely rumored to be on his way to play for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old Sweden center back has impressed by helping Benfica win its last two Liga titles. UEFA also selected Lindelof to its starting 11 of up-and-coming players who came into their own in the Champions League last season, when Benfica reached the quarterfinals. This season, the two-time former European champions are back in the round-of-16, where they will play Borussia Dortmund.

Sweden teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic has given his backing to Lindelof joining him at United.