Conte wanted to sell Matic to Man Utd, Chelsea board did not force move - Jason Burt

ANTONIO CONTE was the reason Chelsea sold Nemanja Matic to Manchester United this summer, according to journalist Jason Burt.

Ray Wilkins blasts Chelsea for selling Matic to Man United

Matic played a key part in helping Conte win the Premier League title in his first season at Chelsea.

But the Serbia international was sold to rivals Manchester United earlier this month in a £40million deal.

Conte admitted after the sale that the experienced 29-year-old would be a huge loss at Stamford Bridge, suggesting it was not his idea to offload him.

But journalist Jason Burt claims Conte did not want Matic for the new season and was the driving force behind his move to Old Trafford.

Nemanja MaticGETTY

Antonio Conte wanted to offload Nemanja Matic this summer

Burt tweeted: "Spoke to a number of people today on Nemanja Matic and the fact is Conte didn't want him and Man Utd offered the cash."

And when it was put to him that Conte tried to put the blame on the board by making it look like Matic was sold without his approval, Burt replied: "Basically, yep."

Matic's departure saw Chelsea recoup the £40m they paid to sign the midfielder's replacement Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco.

But the Blues are said to still be in the market for another midfielder after also seeing Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah leave this summer.

Leicester's Danny Drinkwater is said to be high up on Conte's shortlist, with the Foxes reportedly wanted £30m to sell.

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