Chelsea are battling to keep Nemanja Matic away from Manchester United.

The London Evening Standard says the Serbia international came close to leaving Stamford Bridge last summer only for manager Antonio Conte to block his departure.

Matic's form dipped in the second half of last season and is believed to have become frustrated that the club didn't offer him an extension to his current deal, which has two years left to run.

The 28-year-old has also seen his two closest friends at the club in Branislav Ivanovic and Asmir Begovic, who have joined Zenit St Petersburg and Bournemouth respectively.

Given Matic has helped Chelsea win the title twice in the last three seasons, it will take a minimum of £40m to convince the champions to sell him.