Manchester United Reportedly Ready to Revive Interest in Nemanja Matic Transfer

Manchester United are reportedly prepared to shell out more than £40 million to sign Nemanja Matic from Chelsea after their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur's Eric Dier proved "impossible." 

According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, the Red Devils had been concerned Chelsea would refuse to sell them Matic after the Manchester outfit hijacked the Blues' move for Romelu Lukaku, but there is now "renewed confidence about the deal" at Old Trafford.

That is due to Chelsea's recent successes in the transfer market—they have signed Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, Antonio Rudiger from Roma and Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco this summer—while Matic, 28, is said to be eager to move to United, per Delaney. 

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

The arrival of Bakayoko, 22, at Stamford Bridge is sure to have caused Matic some concern as the pair operate in a very similar deep-lying midfield role.

Chelsea also have Cesc Fabregas and the almost-undroppable N'Golo Kante in their squad, meaning Serbian Matic's game time will likely be limited if he remains in west London.

At United, though, he would be a potentially ideal long-term replacement for the 35-year-old Michael Carrick. 

He has excellent Premier League experience having won the title twice with Chelsea, once under current United manager Jose Mourinho.

Per WhoScored.com, he is also one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the division:

United need a new foil for Paul Pogba in the middle of the park, and Matic would provide competition and depth that is lacking.

If he is indeed eager to move to Old Trafford and United are prepared to shell out a significant fee, it would be little surprise if Matic soon made the move to Manchester.