Premier League transfer news: Nemanja Matic to Manchester United confirmed, transfer fee
Nemanja Matic unveiled as a United player
Sky Sports UKFOX SPORTS
MANCHESTER United have announced the signing of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea on a three-year deal.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder joins for a fee believed to be £40m ($66m) and re-joins manager Jose Mourinho, who brought him back to Chelsea in January 2014.
Matic becomes the Portuguese’s third signing of the summer after Romelu Lukaku (£90m, $150m) and Victor Lindelof (£39.5m ($59m) and takes United’s summer spending to over £150m ($250m).
The Serb said: “To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and to start training with them.
“This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club.. I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support.”
Mourinho said: “Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.
Behind the scenes with our new no.31... #MaticIsRed pic.twitter.com/fvQrOb5ViN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2017
“I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31.”
Mourinho was keen to add a defensive midfielder to his squad this summer and wanted to sign Eric Dier, but Tottenham insisted the England international was not for sale.
Matic was his second target and, despite Chelsea being understood to prefer to sell him abroad and interest from Juventus, the former Benfica man was keen to make the move to Old Trafford.
He was left out of Chelsea’s pre-season tour to Asia and the Blues have also signed Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco in his position to compete with N’Golo Kante.
A beast in midfield.
Nemanja Matic is a red. 🔴#ACE17 #HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/MCSxbpobgl
— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) July 31, 2017
Matic will now prepare for Manchester United’s next pre-season friendly against Sampdoria on August 2 and then Real Madrid in the European Super Cup three days later.
Mourinho said last month that he wanted at least a fourth signing if possible, and the club now have a month left of the window to land their top target; Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic.
Meanwhile, Watford are set to sign Brazil U20 star Richarlison from Fluminense, subject to a medical.
Sky Sports News understands the Hornets have agreed a fee of £13m with the Brazilian club and the striker has agreed terms on a five-year contract.
Richarlison, who is just 20 years old, is currently in England and will undergo a medical with Watford on Tuesday. His move is also subject to a work permit being secured.
The forward, who can also play off the left or right, scored give goals in 14 appearances for Fluminense last season.
Richarlison also has 10 caps and three goals for Brazil’s U20 side, having made his debut in 2016.
The Nova Venecia-born player began his youth career at Real Noroeste before switching to America Mineiro’s academy, from which he graduated into senior football.