Jose Mourinho has reportedly been given the green light from Roma to sign a Manchester United midfielder this summer.
Nemanja Matic is apparently available to leave Old Trafford at a cut-price fee of just over £8 million at the end of this season and Mourinho cannot resist the chance of signing a player for what would be the third time of his managerial career - and at three different clubs.
The 32-year-old Serbia midfielder joined Mourinho's Chelsea in 2014 for £21 million (having previously been on the books of the London club from 2009 to 2011).
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After three-and-a-half successful years including two Premier Leagie title wins, Matic then joined Man United - managed by Mourinho - for £40 million in 2017.
He's played 156 games for the Red Devils but his first-team starts have become more limited this term as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has generally preferred to use a different set of midfielders including Scott McTominay, Fred and Paul Pogba.
So Matic, who's under contract until 2023, is said to be available for a fee of around €10million (£8.6m). And, according to Corriere dello Sport (per Metro), Roma are primed to sign the defensive midfielder with Mourinho having made Matic a "priority" transfer.
Mourinho's spell at Tottenham, where he didn't sign Matic (maybe that was the problem?) ended in April. He was swiftly and surprisingly announced as Roma boss for next season in early May.
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The reported reason 'The Special One' wants to sign Matic for a third time is that he wants a player with leadership qualities and big-match experience.
It's also believed that Matic could be a mentor to Ebrima Darboe, Roma's highly-rated, 19-year-old Gambian midfield prospect.
If Matic does join Roma this summer, he'll link up with former Man United teammate Chris Smalling as well as his former boss Mourinho.
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Matic would also eclipse the likes of Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien and Samuel Eto'o (all players Mourinho has signed twice), sealing a hat-trick of buys from Jose throughout his career.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: nemanja matic, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Roma