As John Terry’s Chelsea career comes to a close after the red card in the game against Sunderland, the veteran defender could be looking at one last big pay-day in China.
Midfielder Nemanja Matic is also set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, but he could have a difficult time getting the move he wants because it could involve one of the Blues’ biggest Premier League rivals, Manchester United.
John Terry to join Chinese revolution
After 18 years at Stamford Bridge, it looks like John Terry’s time in a Chelsea shirt is finally coming to an end this summer. 35 year old Terry has been trying to land a contract extension at the club, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, but has so far failed to do so. While incoming manager Antonio Conte could turn things around if he was interested in the Englishman, with the way things stand Terry will be waving goodbye to a storied career at Chelsea.
A move to West Ham United was being hyped, but it now seems like the Englishman is very close to agreeing a deal that would take him to China and make him 12 million pounds richer per year, according to the Sun. Terry went on a one-man promotional trip to China last summer and visited Shanghai in March as well, and the Chinese Super League clubs would be willing to pay big money for the Englishman due to his face value and high popularity.
The former England captain has a number of associates in China. His former national manager Sven-Goran Eriksson would love to have him at his current club Shanghai SIPG while former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has also made inquiries on behalf of his club Guangzhou Evergrade. His ex-Chelsea teammate Demba Ba has also encouraged Terry to head to the East, saying that, “If John contacts me, I’d tell him, ‘Get on the next plane over here… what are you waiting for?’ “
Terry was also believed to be negotiating with MLS Clubs, but talks have fallen through over the centre-back’s high wage demands. China would have no problem paying through the nose for the 35-year-old though, and JT could soon find himself joining the Chinese revolution.
Nemanja Matic eyes shock move to Manchester United
Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic has had an unsatisfactory season at Stamford Bridge. Matic has made just 26 starts for Chelsea this season, scoring two goals and registering two assists, in a terrible campaign for the Blues. He is reportedly looking to make a move away this summer and has been linked with Serie A giants Juventus.
However, Matic is keen to remain in the Premier League and is eager to join Manchester United should Jose Mourinho take over in the summer, according to the Daily Mail. While Chelsea themselves are keen to sell the player to Juventus, Matic doesn’t want to leave the Premier League.
His former manager Jose Mourinho has been widely linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer. Matic was one of the lynchpins of Mourinho’s Premier League winning side last season. It was the Portuguese manager who brought him back to Stamford Bridge from Benfica in 2014. But the Blues would prefer not to let Matic leave and strengthen their direct rivals, and this means that Manchester United would have to pay big for the Serb.
Matic is rated at 30 million pounds by transfermarkt.com, but Chelsea would in most probability demand a sum of between 35 to 45 million pounds as transfer fee for the 27-year-old.
