Manchester United have launched an official bid for Juan Mata [GETTY]
Speculation about Mata's future gathered steam today when he wasn't present at Chelsea's training session ahead of their FA Cup fourth round tie against Stoke.
United, according to reports, have launched a bid thought to be roughly £40 million through intermediaries acting on behalf of the Premier League champions.
The Red Devils are also believed to be hopeful of completing a deal for Mata by the end of the week so that he can make his debut in time against Cardiff next Tuesday.
Mata has been frozen out of the first-team picture at Chelsea this season, and hasn't played for the club since storming off after being subsituted in the New Year's Day win away against Southampton.
David Moyes is hoping to make a marquee signing this month [GETTY]
The Blues paid £23.5m to bring Mata from Valencia in 2011, and so would probably try to push the fee up to get the best possible deal.
David Moyes has scouted far and wide for the crop of European talent, though Mata has come to the forefront of his mind, and the odds of him moving to Old Trafford have dropped in the past 24 hours.
Mourinho has called into question Mata's work-rate, and the Spaniard has played second fiddle to the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian this season.
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