United close to signing Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, says report

Manchester United are close to signing Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, according to Sky Sports. United hope to complete a deal for the 28-year-old in the coming days as Jose Mourinho continues his summer spending spree at Old Trafford. The United hierarchy have agreed a £40million fee for Matic, who made 40 appearances in all competitions last season. Serie A champions Juventus have given up on their pursuit of Matic and have instead turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi, as well as Sevilla midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.

BREAKING: @manutd close to signing midfielder Nemanja Matic from @ChelseaFC - Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/zChfT9cFHT

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 30, 2017

Tiemoue Bakayoko's arrival at Stamford Bridge has paved the way for Matic to reunite with former Blues boss Mourinho. It is understood Chelsea have allowed Matic to join United as a goodwill gesture because of his contribution to the club's two Premier League titles in the last three years.

TRANSFER CENTRE: Big news... Man Utd closing in on Nemanja Matic, according to Sky sources. More here ? ? ? https://t.co/0X8BHYEA1L pic.twitter.com/CSRs8ZUOnr— Sky Sports PL ? (@SkySportsPL) July 30, 2017

The Blues would have preferred to have sold Matic to Juventus rather than a domestic rival, but the Serbia international, who was given permission to not travel with the rest of the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour of China, wants to move to United instead. Matic is set to become the third new face at Old Trafford this summer following the arrival of Victor Lindelöf and Romelu Lukaku from Benfica and Everton respectively.

Manchester United handed boost in race to sign Nemanja Matic #mufc https://t.co/ekMRKtg5ay

— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) July 21, 2017

The midfielder has been training at Chelsea's Cobham base this week and could join up with United in time to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on August 8. Mourinho's side continue their pre-season schedule against Norwegian club Valerenga on Sunday before they face Sampdoria on August 2.

Manchester United want to complete the signing of £40M Nemanja Matic this week, according to @MailSport pic.twitter.com/BKCJxrFsJ7— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 29, 2017