Manchester United waiting to see if Chelsea will sell Nemanja Matic before looking at other midfield targets
- Manchester United are waiting for a definitive answer regarding Nemanja Matic
- The player wants to join the Red Devils but Chelsea are reluctant to sell
- Antonio Conte would prefer for the midfielder to be sold abroad to Juventus
- United will turn their attention to Roma's Radja Nainggolan if Matic cannot sign
Manchester United are waiting for a definitive answer from Chelsea over Nemanja Matic before moving on to other targets.
Jose Mourinho is keen for a reunion with the Serbia international, who lifted the Premier League title under him at Stamford Bridge in 2015.
Matic is gearing up to leave Chelsea following the £40million arrival of Monaco central midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, who will be announced in the coming hours.
Manchester United are waiting for a definitive answer from Chelsea over Nemanja Matic
Antonio Conte would prefer to sell Matic abroad, with Juventus having registered interest, but the 28-year-old is hoping to push through a move to Old Trafford after his representatives held talks with the Blues.
United are able to offer him a long-term deal and their wage structure smashes those of rival clubs. That includes Arsenal, who have looked at Matic.
Mourinho knows he needs a new face in midfield and is also a known admirer of Roma’s Radja Nainggolan. Tottenham, meanwhile, are resisting any overtures for Eric Dier.
Roma are set for contract negotiations with Nainggolan this weekend and United’s pursuit of Matic has a bearing on the outcome of that.
United boss Jose Mourinho is keen to work with the Serbia international midfielder once again
The Red Devils will turn their attention to Roma's Radja Nainggolan if a move for Matic fails
United legend Gary Neville believes Matic would be a perfect fit for Mourinho.
‘United need another holding midfield player,’ he said. ‘Michael Carrick has got one more year but he can't play every single week.
‘They do need to have that player who can come in and do the same job - and Matic would be able to do that.
‘Morgan Schneiderlin was let go earlier in the season and Bastian Schweinsteiger didn't get a game, so you're talking about there needing to be a replacement for them and ultimately Matic would fit the bill.’
2016-17 | Nemanja Matic | Radja Nainggolan |
---|---|---|
Games played | 35 | 37 |
Goals | 1 | 11 |
Assists | 7 | 5 |
Fouls conceded | 33 | 46 |
Tackles | 51 | 56 |
Interceptions | 50 | 37 |
Passes | 1865 | 1521 |
Passes completed | 87.70 per cent | 80.01 per cent |
Yellow cards | 4 | 2 |
Red cards | 0 | 0 |
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