Nemanja Matic set for contract extension at AS Roma

AS Roma are set to extend Nemanja Matic’s contract for another year, keeping him at the Stadio Olimpico until 2024.

Sky Italia reports that the player had an automatic one-year extension clause in his contract, which the club have now triggered.

Matic has been a reliable figure at the base of Roma’s midfield since joining the Giallorossi from Manchester United as a free agent last summer.

The 34-year-old has proven an important acquisition for Jose Mourinho’s side, starting 13 of his 26 Serie A appearances this season, chipping in with a goal and two assists.

Despite operating as a defensive midfielder, the Serbian has created two big chances for his side and has been a rock in the middle of the park, winning 60% of his ground duels.

Although he has been in and out of the first team since Georginio Wijnaldum’s return from a lengthy injury lay-off, he remains a key part of the squad.

Matic’s current contract was set to run out at the end of the season, but a clause in his deal says the player will renew for another season if he plays 40% of the total games in the campaign while being on the pitch for at least 45 minutes.

The former Benfica man met that mark in the game against Sassuolo a couple of weeks ago, although his side were on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline.

Matic will be looking to continue his impressive form with Roma firmly in the mix for a spot in next season’s Champions League for the first time since 2017/18 when they finished third.

Mourinho’s side have a realistic chance of achieving their target as they sit in fifth place with just one point separating them from fourth-placed AC Milan.

However, after losing three of their last five games, they can ill-afford any more slip-ups, with Atalanta and Juventus not far behind in the Serie A rankings.