Jose Mourinho has made a £35million bid for Nemanja Matic — and been told he can have him for £50m.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction the deal with Manchester United as an act of goodwill towards the midfielder, but will add on a “Lukaku tax”.
The champions are still smarting at missing out on signing Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, after United snatched him earlier in the summer.
And although Italian giants Juventus are also keen on Matic, and Chelsea would be willing to sell him to them for less than £50m, the player is believed to have expressed a desire to go to Old Trafford.