Nemanja Matic to force his way out of Chelsea to link up with Mourinho

Nemanja Matic has told Antonio Conte he wants to leave Chelsea this summer and link up with former boss Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, according to The Sun .

Mourinho brought the Serb back to Stamford Bridge during his second spell with the Blues and is hoping to sign him again this summer.

Despite playing a key part in 2015’s title win, Matic was one of the team’s biggest underperformers when Mourinho was sacked last year.

It was claimed the pair fell out when Matic was substituted just 27 minutes after coming off the bench in the 3-1 defeat to Southampton, but Mourinho is actually a big fan of the defensive midfielder.

Matic was one of the few Chelsea players to speak out in support of the Portuguese tactician after he was fired.

And alongside skipper John Terry, Matic was the only other player Mourinho had a decent relationship with when Roman Abramovich wielded the axe in December.

The Special One is now keen on a reunion at Old Trafford as he seeks a huge summer overhaul, and the feeling is mutual.

Incoming Chelsea head coach Conte has held talks with a number of disillusioned stars including Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, and Matic has already told the Italian he wants out.

Chelsea’s stance on the star is unknown, with Conte open to some high-profile departures this summer.

Oscar and John Obi Mikel look likely to leave, with Loic Remy’s future also in the air.

But Mourinho has cash to burn after inheriting a £200million transfer kitty, with Matic’s team-mate Willian a £60m target.

Chelsea have no intention of selling their Player of the Year to their league rivals and will instead look to extend his current contract which expires in 2018