Inter Milan to move for Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic after champions furious with Manchester United over £75million Romelu Lukaku transfer
Serb midfielder a principle target for Jose Mourinho this summer, but Blues are now very reluctant to sell to Red Devils
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INTER MILAN are hoping to steal a march on Manchester United in the pursuit of Nemanja Matic, according to reports in Italy.
The Serbian midfielder is a target for Jose Mourinho, as the Old Trafford boss looks to add more steel in the middle of the park.
However, the relationship between United and Chelsea has somewhat soured after the former signed Romelu Lukaku ahead of the latter.
And Corriere dello Sport report that Inter are hoping to take advantage of the rift between the Premier League duo by lodging a bid for Matic.
The Nerazzurri are expecting to lose Joao Mario to Paris Saint-Germain this summer and are desperate to bring in a top class central midfielder as a replacement.
Roma’s Radja Nainggolan is among their top targets, with Luciano Spalletti keen on a reunion.
However, the Giallorossi are in talks with the Belgian over a new contract and insist he is not for sale.
Chelsea would be happy to let Matic go, due to the imminent arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko.
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However, they would prefer him to go anywhere other than Old Trafford.
Mourinho, who signed the 28-year-old for Chelsea, sees him as the perfect fit alongside Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera in the United midfield.
But appears to have already accepted he will miss out on the Serb, with Eric Dier emerging as a new top target.
Nemanja Matic factfile: two-times a Blue
- 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.
