Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Nemanja Matic and Ivan Perisic Rumours

Nemanja Matic could be one step closer to joining Manchester United from Chelsea, but a potential deal for Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic might be dead.

According to Sky Sports News HQ's Dharmesh Sheth (h/t the Daily Express' Lewis Winter), Juventus have turned their attention to Blaise Matuidi of Paris Saint-Germain, clearing the path for Red Devils to capture Matic:

"Another likely departure from Chelsea is the midfielder Nemanja Matic. Manchester United are interested and manager Jose Mourinho has made public his desire to bring in a holding midfielder. Juventus, well that looked like a likelier destination earlier this month but their prime target appears to be Paris Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi."

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Per Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, Matic has been ordered to train alone at Cobham as Chelsea play their pre-season games abroad. 

Matic was an important player under Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, helping the club to the Premier League title during the coach's tenure.

The 28-year-old remained prominent last season, starting 30 games in the Premier League—per WhoScored.com—as the Blues captured the title in manager Antonio Conte's first campaign in charge.

According to Squawka News, United legend Gary Pallister said he is pleased Matic could be about to land at Old Trafford:

In other Red Devils news, the protracted transfer deal for Perisic could be over after Inter manager Luciano Spalletti admitted there are no current negotiations to sell the winger.

Per Italian broadcaster Premium Sport (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), Spalletti explained the player could now remain at the San Siro.

"There was a contact a few weeks ago, then the negotiation stopped, so for me it is closed," said Spalletti. "The more days that pass, the more difficult it becomes for us to find a replacement of his calibre. I'll strongly oppose his sale."

The tale of Perisic's move to Old Trafford has been one of the stories of the summer, and it now appears Mourinho could miss out on his signature.

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Perisic has featured on Inter's pre-season tour and has displayed the talent that has made him attractive to the Manchester giants.

After the additions of Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof, the purchase of Matic is the logical next step for United.

The defensive midfielder would act as Michael Carrick's long-term heir and allow Paul Pogba to play a more progressive game in English football.

Pogba is expected to increase his goal haul next season, but he needs a top-class presence to support him in defensive duties.