With reports linking Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic to Chicago Fire FC, sources informed MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday that the signing is unlikely with the Fire currently pursuing other targets.
The Athletic's Paul Tenorio confirmed reports that the club had interest in the Serbian on Extratime this week. The Daily Mailoriginally reported the Fire's interest in Matic.
Matic, 31, has enjoyed a hugely successful career across Europe, most notably with Chelsea and Manchester United. He has won the Premier League twice with Chelsea and moved to Manchester ahead of the 2017-18 season. A classy defensive midfielder who doesn't shy from a tackle, Matic has made 193 Premier League appearances. This season, though, he has made just six league appearances with Manchester United, putting his future at the club in question.
Outside of England, Matic made his name with Portuguese giants Benfica, where he won one league title and three domestic cups. He has 48 appearances with the Serbian national team.
Behind Matic, Tenorio updated the club's current transfer outlook as the Fire have just 17 players under contract less than a week before reporting to preseason.
Sporting director Georg Heitz was hired on December 20 while head coach Raphael Wicky was appointed on December 27. The club have tremendous flexibility, with no Designated Players on the roster as well as ample cap space.
Bastian Schweinsteiger retired while the club moved on from fellow key players like Nemanja Nikolic, Aleksandar Katai, Nico Gaitan and Dax McCarty.
