Mourinho’s first act as Man United boss will be signing Chelsea ace
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Should Jose Mourinho end months of speculation by being named Manchester United manager in the coming weeks his first act as Red Devils boss will be to swoop on his old club.
That is according to reports suggesting Chelsea’s Serbian defensive midfielder Nemnja Matic would happily reunite with his old boss should he get the United job.
Matic’s celebrations were notably muted when he scored against Sunderland for the Blues last weekend and while there is understood to be long-standing interest from Serie A giants Juventus the 27-year-old is said to be keen to remain in the Premier League.
According to Transfermrkt.com the Serb, who has three years remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract, would command a fee in the region of £29m.
However, the Blues’ reluctance to sell to a Premier League rival, especially if managed by their former gaffer, means any fee agreed between the two clubs is likely to be significantly higher.
Mourinho remains the clear favourite to take over at Old Trafford should Louis van Gaal get the boot and while no official announcement has been made by the club the betting suggests the Dutchman is on borrowed time.
Our traders suggest United will fluff their lines in the closing stages of the current campaign, pricing a fifth placed finish and LVG’s sacking as the 7/4 favourite on a list of special markets.
It’s 12/5 he guides United to a top four finish but is still relieved of his duties making Mourinho’s appointment seem all the more likely.
The Red Devils go into tonight’s Upton Park farewell clash with West Ham as the 29/20 favourites, with the Hammers on at 2/1 and the draw priced up at 12/5.
Win and United go into the final day needing only to match Manchester City’s result to secure a Champions League berth, lose and the Mourinho era could start in a matter of days with Matic’s arrival the first of many this summer.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
