Juventus keen on Chelsea's Matic – sources

Juventus are hopeful of signing Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, as the Blues have completed the purchase of N’Golo Kante from Leicester City, sources have told ESPN FC.

Matic, 27, struggled last season after a fine start to life back in the Premier League, and is deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge this season.

Sources told ESPN FC that Juve enquired about signing the Serbian midfielder, only to be told by Chelsea that he would not be sold until they knew whether they were going to sign a midfielder themselves.

With Kante having now sealed a £30 million move from the Premier League champions, Chelsea will listen to offers for Matic and may sell for an offer in the region of £15m.

Matic’s move to Juventus could also have an impact on Paul Pogba’s departure from Turin this summer, possibly to Manchester United.

Ironically, United had previously been interested in Matic — with the player having worked with new Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho at Chelsea — but diverted their attention to Pogba once it was made clear that they had a chance of signing the Frenchman.

If Matic does go to Juventus, the Italian club will be better placed to sell Pogba, although that is by no means certain. Sources have told ESPN FC that United are still confident of getting the 23-year-old, but that they expect negotiations to continue for several weeks.

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