Blues would demand the same free they paid to Shakhtar Donetsk five years ago with their winger out of contract in 2020
JUAN MATA could be on his way out of Manchester United with long-standing target Willian set to replace him.
Boss Jose Mourinho tried to land Chelsea star Willian last summer and talks took place with the player’s representatives.
The Brazilian star, 29, decided to stay put but United are confident the deal can be done this time.
Willian’s Stamford Bridge contract lasts to 2020 and they would demand a £30million fee — the same price they paid to Shakhtar Donetsk five years ago.
Mourinho is planning some big changes as he bids to build a side capable of challenging Manchester City next season.
Mata, 30 this month, was signed for a then club record fee of £37.1m in 2014 and has gone on to make 182 appearances, scoring 39 goals.
Juan Mata could be on his way out of Manchester United
But he has struggled to command a regular starting slot under Mourinho.
Mata’s Old Trafford contract expires in 2019, after the club triggered a clause to add an extra year.
The Spain midfielder insisted earlier this year he was eyeing more years at Old Trafford
He said: ” Once you are part of this club, your football career is not the same; it changes, because this is one of the biggest clubs in football history.
“Every day I try to tell myself how lucky and how privileged I am, try to take advantage of every single training session, and try to see how important it is to be a Manchester United player
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“We have had so many new players during my four years, but now we know each other and understand each other better.
“We are creating a kind of stability that I believe is needed to build and to create a positive consistency in terms of getting results and getting trophies.”
