Manchester United FC transfer news: Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic on verge of £40million move to Old Trafford

Manchester United are understood to be closing in on the signing of Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Matic is keen on a reunion with United manager Jose Mourinho and the Blues are surprisingly willing to let him make the move.

United have been in talks with Chelsea over for the 28-year-old and is it believed that a deal worth around £40million is close to being finalised.

Matic was a key part of Antonio Conte's side last season, playing 35 times in the Premier League as they stormed to the title.

But Chelsea are close to signing another defensive midfielder - Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco - and Conte is happy for the Serbian to go.

United manager Mourinho is a big fan of Matic, having signed him for Chelsea in a £21million deal when he was boss at Stamford Bridge in 2014.

He views him as the perfect midfield successor to Michael Carrick and the type of player who can bring the best out of world record signing Paul Pogba.

Matic would become the second major signing made by United this summer, following the £30million arrival of Benfica defender Victor Lindelof.