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Chelsea transfer news: Nemanja Matic set for Blues exit after joining Diego Costa in missing pre-season tour

Manchester United and Juventus target will not travel with his teammates while Costa is in talks about Atletico Madrid return

NEMANJA MATIC is set for a Chelsea exit after sitting out the pre-season tour with Diego Costa.

The Manchester United and Juventus target will not travel to China and Singapore with his teammates next week.

 Nemanja Matic is heading out of Chelsea this summer
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Nemanja Matic is heading out of Chelsea this summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The Serbian played a key role in winning the Premier League
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The Serbian played a key role in winning the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association

Antonio Conte is giving the Serbian midfielder a chance to sort out his future, with Costa still in Brazil as he discusses an Atletico Madrid return.

Matic reported for training with the rest of the Blues squad but spent much of his time alone.

United boss Jose Mourinho is desperate to sign the ex-Benfica playmaker but Chelsea are reluctant to strengthen a rival.

And after Old Trafford chiefs nabbed Romelu Lukaku from under the Blues' noses, a Juve move seems more likely.

Tiemoue Bakayoko's £39.7million arrival should pave the way for Matic's exit after he played a key role in Conte's title charge.

But Nathaniel Chalobah's shock Watford switch could leave the Blues with a gap in their squad if Matic leaves.

 Tiemoue Bakayoko's arrival should pave the way for Matic to leave
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Tiemoue Bakayoko's arrival should pave the way for Matic to leaveCredit: Getty Images
 Diego Costa is also on his way out but may not play until January
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Diego Costa is also on his way out but may not play until JanuaryCredit: Getty Images

And there are fears Bakayoko could miss the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery at the end of last season.

Costa was keen to fight for his place at Chelsea but got nowhere with Conte, who remembers the Spain international's poor attitude in January.

 Antonio Conte is ready to wield the axe as he plots title defence
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Antonio Conte is ready to wield the axe as he plots title defenceCredit: Rex Features

The Brazil-born hitman is edging towards a return to Madrid but will not be able to registed until 2018 due to Atleti's transfer ban.


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