Conte To Block Matic’s Exit Until He Brings In Two Replacements
Reuters / John Sibley
According to Daily Record, Mourinho’s hopes of signing Nemanja Matic are being held up, as Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is not yet prepared to let the Serbian reunite with Jose Mourinho.
Matic has been on Mourinho’s summer transfer wish-list for many months, with recent reports in England suggesting that United have agreed a deal worth £40m with Chelsea for the former Benfica man, who is set to undergo his medical within this week.
However, as per reports in Daily Record, Antonio Conte does not intend to allow Matic to leave Stamford Bridge unless two central midfielders are brought to the club.
The Blues are close to signing Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko, and in addition to the talented Frenchman, Conte reportedly wants a box-to-box midfielder, with Roma’s Radja Nainggolan thought to be on the list of potential targets.
REUTERS/Robert Pratta
Nainggolan has also been linked with a move to the Old Trafford outfit this summer, but the former Juventus manager wants United to drop their interest in the Belgian if they are to succeed in their pursuit of Nemanja Matic.
Despite strolling to the title in the 2014-15 season, Chelsea were quiet in the market for the majority of the following summer, and as a result, they had a dismal 2015-16 campaign, finishing 10th in the Premier League. Conte doesn’t want to repeat the same mistake, and is keen on freshening up the squad ahead of the next season.
It remains unclear how Chelsea’s hierarchy are prepared to invest in recruitment, and the report also goes on to say that the Italian is still prepared to walk away instantly if his transfer demands aren’t met by the board.
Written by Pragadeesh Shanmugam 
United fan since Edwin Van der Sar denied Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to earn a dramatic Euro glory. Firmly believes that Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or until he plays this sport. One time writer for GiveMeSport and Roar. A regular contributor to Sportskeeda and BlameFootball.