Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Nemanja Matic over a move in the summer
According to a report in Manchester Evening News, Nemanja Matic is set to reunite with Jose Mourinho next season, albeit at Old Trafford, with Manchester United agreeing personal terms with the Chelsea midfielder over a move in the summer transfer window.
Matic is currently in his second spell at Chelsea, having rejoined the West London club from Benfica in the 2014. The player’s second coming at Stamford Bridge, though, has been quite the topsy-turvy one.
The 28-year-old quickly established himself as one of the most instrumental figures for the Blues as they comfortably won the Premier League title in 2015, before form deserted him for large parts of the 2015/16 season as the West Londoners ended the campaign in 10th place.
And as Chelsea reclaimed the Premier League crown in the recently concluded season, Matic played a key role for his side yet again. However, ahead of their next league title defence in 2017/18, Antonio Conte is reportedly eager to strengthen his midfield, with Tiemoue Bakayoko set to join the Blues in the summer.
The arrival of the AS Monaco midfielder is likely to reduce Matic to a bit part player, with N’Golo Kante a near-indispensable figure at the heart of the Chelsea midfield. As a result, a move away from West London is on the cards for the Serbia international, and a possible reunion with Jose Mourinho is in the offing.
The former Chelsea manager is currently at the helm at Manchester United and is keen to link up with Matic yet again. Mourinho currently has the likes of Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick as his options in midfield.
Carrick, though, is fast approaching the end of his glittering career and can no long play week in week out. With the veteran Englishman likely to receive even lesser game time next season, Mourinho is keen to recruit a midfielder who can add solidity in front of defence while also helping Pogba providing the opportunity to play more freely.
The potential reunion with Mourinho would also see Matic play under a manager with whose tactics he is already well acquainted with, and under whom he enjoyed the best years of his career. And now, Manchester United have taken a decisive step in landing the player, having agreed personal terms with him.
The Red Devils only need to agree a transfer fee with Chelsea now, and the move could see the light of the day as soon as the Blues announce the signing of a midfielder.
