Chelsea agrees to 'provisional' 40 mln- pound deal with Man U for Juan Mata

Chelsea has reportedly agreed to a provisional 40 million-pound fee with Manchester United for Juan Mata, although the defending Premier League champions are yet to make a formal bid for the Spaniard.

Negotiations between officials from the two clubs are at an advanced stage, with the transfer said to be 'almost complete' by sources close to the discussions over Mata, who has found first-team opportunities relatively limited at Stamford Bridge this season under new boss Jose Mourinho.

According to The Independent, although there is a reluctance at Stamford Bridge to lose their player of the season from each of his two full campaigns at the club, however, Mata's frustration on the sidelines has been acknowledged sympathetically as he has completed 90 minutes only three times this season, starting 11 league games.

The report mentioned that the prospective deal that would be lodged by United would eclipse all-comers with Mata, and although Mourinho would have the final say on Mata's transfer, his stance is likely to be shaped by Mata's attitude, who is contracted until 2016.