Serbian Set For Chelsea Medical After Contract Terms & €24m Fee Were Agreed

With the January transfer window now open for business clubs will be working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Chelsea edge closer to re-signing Nemanja Matic.

Chelsea on are the brink of re-signing Nemanja Matic with the midfielder due to undergo a medical on Tuesday ahead of a €24m (£20.7m) move from Benfica, according to reports today.

The Serbian international has been strongly linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge in recent days with reports in Portugal on Monday suggesting that a deal between Chelsea and Benfica was close.

The midfielder also seemed to think he was off to London after claiming he had played his last match for Benfica following Sunday’s 2-0 win over rivals Porto, telling reporters:

“Yes, it was my last game.

“I want to thank all the people at the club and all the supporters. Benfica will be forever in my heart. I played here two and a half years, I gave my best in every practice, every game, and now is the right time to leave.

“I want to improve, I want to go to a better league and want to go to Chelsea, the club which I also like.

“I have always given my best for the team, the club and the supporters. I hope you recognize that and understand my position and my desire.” [source: Goal]

It appears the deal is almost complete with Goal claiming this afternoon that Matic is now set to undergo his medical examinations this afternoon after a £20.7m deal was struck in Lisbon yesterday and the player agreed terms over a five-and-a-half-year contract.

Matic will rejoin Chelsea two-and-a-half years after leaving the club as part of the deal that saw David Luiz move to Stamford Bridge in 2011. During his initial two-year spell in west London, the 25-year-old only made just two appearances for the first team but has since flourished in Portugal where he’s become one of the most highly-rated defensive midfielders in Europe.

With Frank Lampard now approaching his twilight years and Michael Essien no longer the force he once was, Chelsea were in need of central midfield reinforcements and Matic is likely to battle it out with John Obi Mikel for the defensive midfield spot, and he could even be involved against Manchester United this coming weekend.

If the club are going to splash over £20m on him, you’d expect he’ll be considered as first choice but Mourinho may use him cautiously during the second half of the season to give him time to settle in and adjust to life in the Premier League.

Many Blues fans have been hoping for a striker to come in this month, but it seems the clubs first major piece of business will be to sign a midfielder.

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Is Matic the man to help bring the title back to Stamford Bridge? Or do you think the club still need further investment? Share your views below.