
By Mark Weasley
Manchester United have been boosted in their pursuit of Nemanja Matic after Chelsea confirmed the signing of Tiemoue Bajayoko in a £40m deal from Monaco. The 22-year-old France midfielder has been the subject of a long drawn pursuit all summer, and has now signed for the Premier League champions on a five year deal, a move that is sure to hasten the Serbian midfielder, Matic away from West London.
Talksports reported that Matic, alongside wantaway striker, Diego Costa have been left out of Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia, as they look for moves away from the club.
Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho had shortlisted the names of Fabinho, Radja Nainggolan, Matic and Eric Dier as his preferred defensive midfielder specialist, to chief executive, Ed Woodward, with the club confident of signing one of them. However, moves for any of the other 3 players have been met with brick walls by their clubs who are holding out for huge transfer fees.
Matic looks most likely to switch to Old Trafford, as he is keen on reuniting with former boss, Jose Mourinho who is actively looking for an anchorman to shore up his midfield and give Pogba the platform to express himself further up the field.
A bid of around £40m could yet force Chelsea’s hands, who don’t want to sell Matic to United who they see as a title rival. They are reportedly in talks with Juventus, as they are more open to the player going abroad.
Matic was re-signed by Chelsea in 2014 under Jose Mourinho. He was an important first team player in his two-title winning seasons at the club, scoring 7 goals in 157 appearances in that time, and is widely as one of the best enforcers in Europe.