Manchester United lead race to sign £42m ex-Chelsea star

Manchester United & Napoli have edged in front in the race to sign highly-rated Benfica star

Matic has rebuilt his career at Benfica. (©GettyImages)

Manchester United have edged ahead of their rivals in the pursuit of former Chelsea star Nemanja Matic, and now have only Napoli to contest with, according to talkSPORT.

Recent reports have suggested that the Italian giants had put themselves in pole position to sign the Serbian playmaker, but now it looks as though United are committed to the cause as well, and will try to sign him in January.

The 25-year-old was previously at Chelsea but was transferred as part of the deal that took David Luiz to Stamford Bridge. Since his arrival at the Estadio de Luz however he has fashioned himself as a key player in the Benfica first-team, and David Moyes is believed to be interested in making him one of his additions in the next transfer window.

Matic is currently valued by the Portuguese giants at around £42million, but United are hopeful of an offer in the region of £18million being accepted.

It was thought initially that Chelsea would be looking to bring their ex-star back to the Premier League, but interest has since cooled from Jose Mourinho.