Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho held talks to sign Willian last summer
And, according to The Sun, the 29-year-old has been earmarked to replace Juan Mata.
The former Chelsea man is under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2019 after the club triggered an option in January.
He turns 30 later this month and has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Jose Mourinho’s starting XI this term and the Portuguese boss is now prepared to let him leave.
GETTY
Manchester United are confident of signing Willian from Chelsea
GETTY
Juan Mata is set to be sacrificed by Manchester United to make room for Willian
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Despite being fierce rivals on the pitch, Chelsea and United have done business with each other in recent years.
Mata left the Blues for Manchester for a then club-record fee in 2014 while Nemanja Matic made the same switch last summer.
United are expected to hand Mourinho another bumper transfer kitty when the window reopens in the summer.
He is likely to strengthen key areas of his squad including the centre of midfield and defence.