Report: Tottenham will go after Manchester United star, contract could expire in summer

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Football London have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur will go after Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic this summer, if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side do not exercise an automatic one-year contract extension.

The Serbian midfielder, 31, has entered the final six months of his £120,000-a-week contract (Sun). However, Manchester United have the option to extend the three-year deal he signed in 2017 by another 12 months.

It means both Manchester United and Matic will have to come to an agreement, either to extend the deal or to let the former Benfica star leave on a free transfer. If the latter occurs, Tottenham will go after Matic, as per Football London.

But if the £40million (Telegraph) signing does agree to remain at Old Trafford for another 12 months, then Spurs will drop their interest. Whether Spurs go in for Matic really does depend on the 12-month extension clause.

TBR’s view – Matic is a backwards step for Tottenham

Recent dips into the transfer market have seen Daniel Levy buy players with resale value. Gio Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele, Jack Clarke, Steven Bergwijn, Ryan Sessegnon and Gedson Fernandes are all 23 or younger.

Spurs have been linked with the likes of Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – who is 24. A move for Matic would go against Levy’s ethos, and is hardly an improvement on the likes of Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama or Ndombele.

Even though he has a good relationship with Jose Mourinho, Spurs should avoid Matic.