/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55897573/671551678.0.jpg)
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.
Manchester United are back in for Nemanja Matic and are confident they can persuade Chelsea to sell | @MiguelDelaney https://t.co/s2FnfEAYoY
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) July 26, 2017
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.
Sky in Italy: Nemanja Matic is main midfield target for Juventus. New talks have been held about signing him from Chelsea
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) July 24, 2017
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.