Chelsea's Juan Mata set for medical ahead of £37m move to Manchester United

JUAN MATA is set to have a medical at Manchester United in the next 48 hours before completing a £37m move from Chelsea.

Mata will become United's record transfer when the deal is finalised in the next few days

Starsport understands the two clubs have now agreed a fee and plan to conclude the deal before the end of this week.

Mata missed training with Jose Mourinho’s squad yesterday morning but worked out at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground before saying his goodbyes to Mourinho and is then believed to have held talks with his agent father and senior United executives.

The Spanish star will be offered a four and a half year deal deal worth around £150,000-a-week at Old Trafford to become the most expensive signing in United’s history.

Mata’s dad, also called Juan, has jetted to England to finalise the deal that will see the 25-year-old get his wish and leave Stamford Bridge.

Mata has spent a lot of time on the Chelsea bench this season

 

It is understood the Blues were keen to involve Wayne Rooney in the deal, with a view to signing him in the summer.
But United refused to consider selling their talisman and were forced to meet Chelsea’s asking price for Mata instead.

The Spanish international has been determined to leave the Blues after being frozen out by Mourinho this season.
He made it clear he wanted to quit to find regular first-team football elsewhere and Mourinho agreed to let him go.
 

Mata has not featured in the club’s last three games and when he stormed off at Southampton on New Year’s Day after being substituted Mourinho decided to listen to offers, who will claim that it is a “great deal” for Chelsea.

This persuaded United to make their move and his imminent arrival will be a huge boost for the Premier League champions and their under-fire boss David Moyes.

Moyes has become desperate to make a marquee signing in this month’s transfer window after seeing his first season as United boss turn into a living nightmare.
United are out of the title race after losing seven games and face a desperate battle to secure a top four finish this season.

Mata scores for Chelsea at Old Trafford in last season's clash between the sides
 

Failure to secure Champions League qualification would be a huge blow, but Moyes is convinced signing Mata will now help United achieve their main goal.

Moyes is also hoping the arrival of Mata will boost his chances of keeping Rooney and Robin van Persie this summer, as well as helping him bring in some more big name signings.
Critics have questioned Mourinho’s decision to sell Mata, who has been the Blues player of the year for the past two seasons.

But the deal appears to suit all parties, with the Blues making a £13m profit on someone who cost them £24m from Valencia in 2011.
Moyes knows Mata has the quality to help make United a major force again and signing him will ease the pressure on him - for the time being at least.

Mata, meanwhile, knows he will be guaranteed regular games to boost his chances of making Spain’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.