Nemanja Matic looks certain to join Manchester United, with reports suggesting the transfer should be completed within the next 24 hours.
The Serbian international helped Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea win the Premier League title in 2015, and again under Antonio Conte last season. He now looks set to be reunited with his former boss, who made him a target earlier this summer when he considered defensive midfield options.
A fee in the region of £40million has been agreed between the two clubs, and it is understood Matic has been in Manchester on Sunday to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms. The 28-year-old is now expected to become the Reds third summer signing, with the announcement imminent.
It had been suggested that Chelsea would veto the transfer having seen United hijack their deal for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku earlier this month, and they would have preferred to sell him abroad. But with Juventus out of the picture, Mourinho has been in pole position to complete the deal.
As well as Lukaku, United have also signed Victor Lindelof ahead of the new season. Their Portuguese boss would still like to add at least one more name to his squad before the campaign begins, but they face a battle to prise Croatia international Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan.
The Old Trafford club have been linked with the 28-year-old winger for much of the summer, but are thought to be reluctant to meet Inter’s asking price of around £48million. And Luciano Spalletti, the manager of the Nerazzurri, claimed on Saturday the player is not for sale.
