Mourinho: Mata close to United move

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expects Juan Mata to complete his big-money move to Manchester United “sooner rather than later.”

The Spain international travelled to complete a medical at United and Mourinho expects the transfer to be completed in the near future.

The Portuguese also insisted that he bears no grudges with regards to the former Valencia playmaker, who is reportedly set to cost the Premier League champions around £37million.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Stoke, Mourinho said: “We allowed Juan to travel and have a medical with United and things are going in a good direction, so I think sooner rather than later things will be finalised.

“I think this club is a special club, this club cares about people and the club is very respectful with players, especially players that wrote history with this club and Juan is one of these players.

“Juan had this fantastic opportunity. Another big club wants him in a country where he loves to be and wants to play.

“It is an offer that is a good offer for him and us.

“Many clubs feel that you don’t sell to a rival club, we feel and we think differently.”

Mourinho revealed that he consulted Mata when the offer from United was received, and that the 25-year-old was eager to move to Old Trafford.

He added: “When the offer came I asked him ‘Are you really happy to go?’ and he said ‘Yes, I’m really happy.’

“He’s a fantastic player. The offer we’ve received we feel is the right offer for the quality of the player.

“It’s a good move for Juan, it’s a good move for the Premier League and the offer is the right offer. He was fantastic for Chelsea, and Chelsea were fantastic for him.”

The Chelsea boss also expressed his confidence that transfer target Mohamed Salah will move to Stamford Bridge after the London club agreed a deal with Basel for the winger on Thursday.

Egypt international Salah, also a target for Liverpool, is set to undergo a medical in Switzerland and must then agree personal terms before completing his move to the Premier League club.