Manchester United ready to pay 80 percent of Chelsea’s asking price for Matić — report

According to the Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Manchester United are prepared to pay Chelsea a significant, if not quite definitive amount for midfielder Nemanja Matić. Talks between the two clubs have been hot and cold due to Chelsea asking for around £50m, which is more than United are willing to pay, but having been foiled in their pursuit of Eric Dier from Tottenham, United might be more willing to negotiate now.

This news comes after weeks of reports putting either United or Juventus in the proverbial lead for Matić. Earlier rumors of Inter Milan possibly being interested as well have died away.

So as we circle back around to United, what is old is new and what is new is old. But José Mourinho and Co. appear to be inching closer to paying what Chelsea are demanding in a supposedly Abramovich-sanctioned transaction, so perhaps this deal will be finalized sooner rather than later.