Blues closing in on Matic

The Mail Online understands that Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal that will see Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic return to Stamford Bridge, two-and-a-half years after he moved in the opposite direction.

The 25 year old was initially used as a makeweight in David Luiz’s transfer to Chelsea, and now looks set to return to West London with a medical expected on Tuesday.

During his first spell with the Blues, he made just three substitute appearances before spending a season on loan with Vitesse Arnhem – the Dutch club that currently has no fewer than five Chelsea players in their first team squad.

The Serbian international was part of the Benfica side that lost 2-1 to Chelsea in last season’s Europa League final, while he won the Portuguese League Cup the previous year.

Elsewhere, the club are set to partly finance their move for Matic with the funds they are due to receive from Wolfsburg for Kevin De Bruyne, according to the Mirror.

The Bundesliga side are set to complete ta £17m move for the Belgium international in the next few days.

De Bruyne has made just two starts for the Blues, having spent last season on loan with Werder Bremen.