Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic. (Photo : Getty Images)
Italian Serie A champions Juventus is reportedly targeting Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic as a sign that the team may have already accepted the transfer of star midfielder Paul Pogba to Manchester United this summer.
Daily Mail Online reported that the 27-year-old Serbian footballer has become the "top target for Juventus" as they prepare for the Frenchman's impending move to England with the Red Devils anytime soon.
Pogba is said to be "closing in on a move to Manchester United" allegedly worth more than £100 million, which would smash the old transfer record set by Real Madrid in 2013 during its £85 million signing of Gareth Bale from the Tottenham Hotspur.
The Old Lady is speculated to use Pogba's sale to fund another mega-money signing, Gonzalo Higuaín's £79 million move from Napoli to Turin, and to land another "midfielder in Pogba's athletic style".
Matic, who curiously was one of United head coach Jose Mourinho's favorites during his time with the Blues, is said to be the "first choice" of Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri to replace Pogba in his starting lineup next season.
Having Matic and Higuaín in his squad is allegedly acceptable to Allegri even at the expense of losing Pogba to the Old Trafford giants.
The report also noted that with Matic having "lost his place" in the Stamford Bridge residents' rotation last term under interim coach Guus Hiddink after Mourinho was sacked in December, the Šabac, SFR Yugoslavia native is said to be keen on exiting the Blues as well, although he hopes that it would be back to a team under the Special One.
Caught Offside noted, though, that Chelsea may not be eager to let go of Matic this summer as it is still not clear whether he would be "an important part" of new head coach Antonio Conte's plans next term.
However, there were rumors that since Conte has already acquired N'Golo Kanté from Leicester City, then he may find Matic as a surplus to his requirements by this time, which could be good news for both Juve and Matic.
It all comes down to whether the Pogba move to United will ultimately push through, the report mentioned, as it will create a domino effect on the succeeding deals after that, which more likely includes Matic moving to Italy next season.
