Nemanja Matic 'closing in on £50m Manchester United move'

Manchester United are reportedly nearing the £50m signing of Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.

The Serbian international played a key role in Chelsea's Premier League title triumph last term, but the big-money arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko from AS Monaco has placed the midfielder's future in doubt.

It had been claimed that Juventus were leading the race for the 28-year-old, but according to The Telegraph, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light on a £50m bid from Man United.

It is understood that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is reluctant to sell to a direct rival in the Premier League, but Abramovich has intervened, which will lead to the defensive midfielder linking up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Man United have already spent more than £100m on Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof in this summer's transfer window, but Mourinho wants at least one more player to complete his squad for the new campaign.

Matic has won two Premier League titles in his last three seasons with Chelsea.