Man Utd close in on RM191m deal for Matic

IT WILL likely be the least exciting £35m ( RM191m) signing of the summer, but should, as expected, Manchester United complete their deal for Nemanja Matic then Jose Mourinho will have another key piece of his transfer business done.

The Portuguese told United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in March the positions that he wanted to strengthen this summer and gave him multiple names for each role.

In defensive midfield, the likes of Radja Nainggolan and Eric Dier were considered but Matic, a reliable operator who Mourinho has already worked with twice, is something of a known quantity – even if he wasn’t first choice.

Chelsea will be seen as the winners in this deal, immediately reinvesting the £35m fee into Tiemoue Bakayoko of Monaco.

The France midfielder, 22, is six years younger than Matic and fits far better with what Antonio Conte wants from those in his engine room.

Matic, who flitted from worldbeating holder to slow-motion beanpole last season, is not a player that Conte is desperate to sell but nor is he distraught to see the 28-year-old potentially leave the club.

Mourinho, for his part, is not concerned about resale value or long-term successors.

The signing of Matic is one that screams not only of the need for discipline in the heart of this United team, but one that reiterates how the Portuguese is looking for players who can help him win now, not a couple of years down the line.

It isn’t a cheap way to operate but it is how Mourinho wants to build. Matic will provide him with another body in midfield and will follow instructions to the letter.

The Serbian midfielder also adds a physical element to this United side, and it is worth noting that United scored the second-fewest set-piece goals (7) in the Premier League last season.

Only Sunderland fewer.

Personal terms for Matic, whose contract with the Premier League champions has just two years left, are not expected to be a problem.

United are prepared to offer north of £150,000 (RM817,500) per week to a player Chelsea have failed to extend the contract of for nearly 18 months now. – The Independent (5) netted