Nemanja Matic Reportedly to Have Manchester United Medical Before £40M Transfer

Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic is reportedly set to have a medical with Manchester United "in the next 48 hours."

The Sun's Richard Forrester reported as much Monday with the midfielder due to join the club in a £40 million move, a fee United and Chelsea have agreed on according to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian.

He also reported the deal is set to be completed "in the coming days," with Matic having agreed terms on a contract worth £155,000 per week, though the death of Felix Mourinho, manager Jose's father, could slightly delay proceedings.

Manchester Evening News fan writer Hesham Bilal-Hafiz is more inclined to believe reports in Italy:

Gianluca Di Marzio reported on Saturday that Monaco star Fabinho "is very close to" joining United.

That could be wishful thinking on the part of Bilal-Hafiz, given Fabinho would make for a much stronger and more exciting acquisition, though it's not inconceivable United could sign both, particularly given the Brazilian is equally adept at right-back as he is in midfield.

Matic's capture isn't likely to be met with much fanfare from the Old Trafford faithful.

He's not a player to get pulses racing, nor does he have the explosiveness or dynamism many will want to see in the middle of the park at United next year.

The 28-year-old being deemed expendable by Chelsea won't help either, as the Red Devils are in desperate need of top talent that can return them to the summit of the English game and make them a force in the UEFA Champions League once more.

However, sports journalist Jonas Giaever believes the Serb brings much to the table and could still prove to be an excellent capture for United:

Indeed, Matic certainly has winning pedigree, having helped the Blues win the Premier League twice in the last three seasons, and even if he's not the most mobile, he can still provide valuable protection for the back four.

Football writer Liam Canning believes supporters should have faith in Mourinho after he set a strong track record in the transfer market last summer:

There appear to be better and younger options out there this summer than Matic, with Fabinho among them, but the Special One has worked with Matic before and got the best out of him during Chelsea's title win in 2015.

He may not be a long-term signing given he turns 29 in August, but he could prove useful once again under Mourinho.