UNITED CLOSE ON MATIC
MANCHESTER UNITED are on the verge of signing Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic in a £40m deal. Starsport understands United have agreed a fee and personal terms with the midfielder. Matic (left) is expected to travel to Manchester this week to have a medical ahead of his reunion with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
The Serbia star will sign a long-term deal worth around £150,000 a week at Old Trafford, and the move will see United end their interest in England and Tottenham ace Eric Dier.
Mourinho knows all about Matic, after bringing the 28-year-old back to Stamford Bridge from Benfica in a
£20m deal in 2014. The United boss identified Matic as one of his main targets before the end of last season as he looks to turn his side into Premier League champions once again.
Mourinho has been desperate to land a defensive midfielder and reckons Matic can be the long-term replacement for veteran Michael Carrick.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is willing to sell Matic to make room in his side for Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko.
It will also enable him to keep Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Luring
Mourinho reckons Matic has the right mental strength to succeed at United and will add some much needed steel to his side’s midfield.
Matic will become Mourinho’s second summer signing following United’s £30m swoop on Benfica for Swedish defender Victor Lindelof.
United had been keen on luring Dier to Old Trafford but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to sell him.
Matic, who has won 32 caps for Serbia, landed four major trophies during his time at the Blues, including two league titles and an FA Cup.
But the champions are not afraid to sell their stars to big rivals, with Juan Mata having joined United in 2014.