Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich intervenes to sign off £50m deal for Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United
Blues chief gives permission for Serbian midfield star to pursue reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho
CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light for Nemanja Matic to pursue a £50million transfer to Manchester United.
The Red Devils have been trying to tie-up a deal for the Serbian international all summer.
Matic, 28, was desperate for a reunion with his former boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
However, the Blues turned down United’s initial £35m offer.
But the Stamford Bridge kingpin has now intervened and sanctioned the sale of the star should his valuation be met.
Despite being a key part of Antonio Conte's Premier League-winning squad last season, the bulldozing midfielder wants to leave the champions.
Inter Milan have also shown an interest in the star with fellow Serie A side Juventus also join the chase for his signature.
The latter were due to open talks with Chelsea next week over a potential deal but United are determined to get the move completed this month and are expected to lodge a second bid.
Although relations soured between the clubs after Mourinho gazumped his old side to sign £75m Romelu Lukaku, tensions appear to have now cooled.
The West London outfit are happy to do business with United should they match their asking price.
Abramovich gave his blessing to the move as a reward for his services in helping the club win the title twice in the last three seasons.
The former Benfica remains in England after not joining the rest of the Chelsea squad on their pre-season trip to the USA.
The pair enjoyed plenty of success together, but he was infamously brought on as a substitute before being taken off 28 minutes later by Mourinho during a defeat against Southampton.
Speaking about the incident, Matic previously said: "I felt terrible to be subbed, to be honest.
"I am a man first of all and, of course, I felt bad at that moment. But as you know, I didn’t react, I stayed professional.
"Normally some of the players react to that and cause some problems but as you can see I didn’t react and showed respect for the coach and for the club and my team.
"It was very hard. You have to play and see how it feels.
"I knew I did the right thing when I sat on the bench. I knew I did the right thing and I am proud that I didn’t react."
Nemanja Matic factfile - The tough tackling Serb who scored a wondergoal in the FA Cup semi-final
- Born in Sabac, Serbia, in August, 1988.
- He began his career aged five at Vrelo, where he was coached by his father, just 500m from his house.
- In 2005 he signed for Serbian club Kolubara, and then moved to Slovakian side Kosice in 2007.
- He spent time on trial at Middlesbrough before Chelsea beat Sunderland and Tottenham to sign him in August 2009 for £1.5million.
- After two first team games, Chelsea sent him on loan to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.
- In January 2011 Matic was sold to Benfica along with £21million in exchange for Brazil defender David Luiz.
- He flourished at Benfica, was named Portuguese Player of the Year and reached the Europa League final, where they were beaten by Chelsea.
- In January 2014, Chelsea, under manager Jose Mourinho, signed him back for £21million, and he made his second Chelsea debut against Man Utd.
- He has won two Premier League titles in three seasons at Chelsea, and last season played 40 games, scoring twice including a stunning strike in the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.
- Matic is a strong tackling defensive midfielder who is tactically disciplined and at 6ft 4in tall is very good in the air.
- His brother Uros is also a professional footballer, with FC Copenhagen.
- He is married to childhood sweetheart Aleksandra, who he met at school, and they have two children.
