Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic is reportedly holding out for a reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho as he waits on a £40m switch to Man Utd.
The 28-year-old is likely to see his playing time negatively affected by the arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko this week, as he had been heavily linked with an exit once the Frenchman had signed.
Having now seen him arrive and effectively push him down the pecking order, The Sun claim that the Serbian international has set a 48-hour deadline for Chelsea to sort out his future.
It’s added that Matic has been told that he can leave Stamford Bridge for £40m, but ultimately the Premier League champions would prefer to see him leave England and join Juventus rather than join one of their rivals in United or Arsenal.
Matic is said to have his heart set on a move to Old Trafford though, while it’s claimed that the Red Devils would be able to offer him the best financial package too with a £150,000-a-week deal over four years said to be on the table.
Considering all the factors, it would appear as though he wants a move to United and nowhere else, but it remains to be seen if Chelsea give that switch the green light as it’s a risky move from their perspective.
Matic played a pivotal role in the Premier League title-winning campaign last season in west London, and so him leaving is in itself a shock as Chelsea will need quality and depth across the squad to compete on various fronts this coming season with their return to the Champions League in mind.
However, it looks as though it will be one in and one out with regards to their midfield, as Matic awaits permission to seal a move to United.