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.
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Tau
January 14, 2014 at 1:50 pm
Wt a gd signing matic is, as 4 a striker , lets wait til may coz rmember w hv lukaku
Comrade Iyah abdul
January 14, 2014 at 3:07 pm
Nice to here such a wanderful signing so far, tell hpy one to let him take part on sunday
stephen
January 14, 2014 at 3:23 pm
He is a good sign. However, we still need a ruteless finisher
onyeka sador
January 14, 2014 at 3:30 pm
niz player matic, come on baby matic.
rahman jamiu adewale
January 14, 2014 at 3:35 pm
i wish to see matic to wear chelsea shirt again
Emejuru prince chimezie
January 14, 2014 at 3:36 pm
Nice buy up chelsea am still waiting by they side to hear from goal about fredy guarin buy.
udeme aduak
January 14, 2014 at 4:15 pm
that’d be excellent signing
Ugwuadu Michael
January 14, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Good business, nice buy. Up Chelsea!
Ngbaa Mene Beston
January 14, 2014 at 4:40 pm
What a pleasant news to hear about d imminent resigning of the spider ( Matic)
Owolabi Emmanuel
January 14, 2014 at 5:02 pm
He is a good buyer, will need sharp Striker. Up Bluesssssss
Castro Gotz
January 14, 2014 at 5:47 pm
Dats gud anywhere.
david chijioke
January 14, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Nice buy for chelsea,bt he should be featuring.bt stil need a strike finish one lik dider
david chijioke
January 14, 2014 at 6:20 pm
I would lik matic to feature against. Man u match
peter
January 14, 2014 at 7:07 pm
gud buz..hopin we won’t sell van ginkel 2 porto only 2 re-buy wen he bcums 25yrs…..
Lorogo
January 14, 2014 at 7:56 pm
I think hes agud player 2 play along side obi ,bt i jst need him to play on sunday against united.
TIMO VICTOR
January 15, 2014 at 10:02 am
Welcome back Matic,coz we want to build another true competitive squad. da bluuzzzz till we dieeee
olakunle
January 15, 2014 at 11:52 am
Nice to have him back
SUMAILA
January 15, 2014 at 1:06 pm
goog to see matic back at chelsea i even like to see him against man utd