Jose Mourinho is reportedly plotting a raid on former employers Manchester United as he looks to sign Nemanja Matic at his new club, AS Roma.
According to a report from Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has emerged as a priority transfer target for former manager Jose Mourinho at AS Roma ahead of the summer window.
Matic arrived at Manchester United from arch-rivals Chelsea in the summer of 2017. The Serb went on to become a mainstay in the side under Mourinho in his first eighteen months or so at Old Trafford, although he has had to share game-time with the likes of Scott McTominay and Fred since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the reins.
The ongoing campaign, though, has seen Matic completely being reduced to a bit-part role, with the towering midfielder starting just 11 Premier League games so far in 2020/21 term. And even though he still has over two years left on his contract, there is a feeling that the 32-year-old will be on his way out of Old Trafford, given as Manchester United are targeting reinforcements in the defensive midfield region.
And Mourinho has been alerted to the possibility of Matic’s potential departure and is now eyeing a reunion with the Serb at Roma. The Portuguese tactician was sacked from Tottenham Hotspur only last month, soon after which he accepted a job with the Giallorossi where he will be taking over from Paulo Fonseca at the end of the season.
It seems like the former Manchester United and Chelsea manager is particularly intent on bolstering his midfield unit heading into his first season at the club, having most recently been linked with a Bosman move for Liverpool ace Georginio Wijnaldum, with Matic now emerging as a priority target for the ‘Special One’.
The report states that Matic, despite having over 24 months on his contract with Manchester United, would cost Roma a transfer fee under €10 million, making him an attractive prospect. The Serbian international will soon be turning 33, but his experience and know-how in the game, coupled with his knowledge of working with Mourinho at two clubs in the past, could help Roma challenge for the top four next season.
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At the same time, the seasoned campaigner would also aid the development of promising youngster Ebrima Darboe, who made his first-team debut recently and is tipped for a bright future, with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham already watching him.
As for Manchester United, clearing out players like Matic, that are not major part of the plans would help create room in the squad and on the wage-bill to bring in their priority targets in what promises to be a crucial summer transfer window, as Solskjaer & co. look to take the next step in their progression and challenge for the Premier League title.
