Manchester United are reportedly closing in on Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.
Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
According to ESPN, Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, which would see him reunite with Jose Mourinho.
The Red Devils have already snapped up one new signing this summer, as defender Victor Lindelof has joined the club from Benfica to boost Mourinho’s back line.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Now, manager Mourinho will look to boost other areas of his side, with a holding midfielder a top priority. Michael Carrick is now 35, and a natural anchor man is needed to free up Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba to get from box to box.
ESPN now report that United are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, in a move which would see him reunite with his former Blues boss Mourinho.
Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic celebrates scoring with Marcos Alonso
Matic, 28, joined Chelsea back in 2009 but spent just two years with the club before being sold to Benfica. Having flourished in Portugal, Chelsea splashed the cash to re-sign the Serbian international in January 2014, and he has been a fixture of the side ever since.
The 6ft 4in midfield powerhouse has now racked up nearly 150 appearances for the Blues in his second spell with the club, and played a key role in Antonio Conte’s side last season as Chelsea won the Premier League title – his second title win since re-joining the club.
Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic
However, with Chelsea poised to sign midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, it’s believed that Chelsea are willing to sell Matic, and an agreement with United is drawing ever closer.
United will have to fork out a big-money deal to land Matic, but given his ties with Mourinho, United’s need for a holding midfielder and Chelsea’s apparent plans to replace him with Bakayoko, this looks like a good deal for all parties.
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