MANCHESTER UNITED wait to see if a buyer comes forward for Nemanja Matic next month before they choose to trigger their option to extend his contract.
Matic, 31, is in his final year and can walk away for nothing at the end of the season – and Juventus are keen to take him if United DO let him go for free.
Matic is in his final year and can walk away for nothing at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
But the Serbian midfielder cost £40 million from Chelsea and United want to recoup at least some of the fee.
Even though they know it will only be a fraction of their original outlay, that means they will instigate the clause which extends Matic’s deal by 12 months, guaranteeing that.
United will ask for around £15m if they do sell now, although would almost certainly accept slightly less if it means getting his £150,000-a-week wages off the books.
Matic is currently at odds with the club, has only made five appearances this season, and the last of his two in the Prem came in the 2-0 defeat at West Ham in September.
SunSport revealed Antonio Conte was looking at the ex-Chelsea midfielder in a bid to bolster his options in the middle of the park.
Matic is seen as a cheaper option than others around Europe, his top transfer target.
It is understood talks have already begun between Matic’s representatives and Inter over the possibility of a deal.
The 31-year-old likes the idea of the move, but would like to help United get out of their start of season slump.
Matic’s terms run out in the summer, and there have been discussions over extending them further.
But it is unlikely he will stay with the current playing time he has, and is more likely to be sold.
Cristiano Ronaldo high five Man Utd star Nemanja Matic’s son in tunnel after Portugal’s win over Serbia
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
