Manchester United have approached Premier League rivals Chelsea regarding a possible transfer for Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic, according to Italian publication GianlucaDiMarzio.
New United manager Jose Mourinho worked with Matic during his own time at Chelsea, and is reported to have identified the player as a top target for the summer transfer window. Mourinho is looking for his United side to boast more power across the pitch, with Matic's frame and strength likely to make them far more competitive in the middle of the park.
.@ManUtd is going on for #Bailly defender of @VillarrealCF and approaches @ChelseaFC for #Matic #MUFC
Matic excelled under Mourinho during Chelsea's title-winning season in 2014/15, but lost his form and his place in the side as a result in the last campaign.
Chelsea are not willing to sell Matic cheaply, though it is rumoured that they will agree to offload the player even to a direct rival for the right price. The Serbian is said to be open to a move to Old Trafford to work with Mourinho again, despite the fact the two didn't hold the best relationship during their time together at the Bridge.
What happened to Nemanja Matic at Chelsea? How did he go from looking world-class to a bit anonymous?
The speculation over Matic comes just hours after Spanish publication El Confidencial reported that midfielders Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini were each at risk of having their futures at Old Trafford cut short under Mourinho's charge.
The report also claimed that the likes of Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, Ashley Young, Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, and Antonio Valencia were at risk of being sold by Mourinho as he looks to make the team his own at Old Trafford.
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