Juan Mata arrived by helicopter at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground on Saturday afternoon to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms on his £37million move from Chelsea.
The Spanish midfielder was greeted by manager David Moyes and the deal is expected to be completed in time for Mata to make his debut in Tuesday’s Barclays Premier League encounter with Cardiff at Old Trafford.
Once the final details of the switch are agreed, Moyes will break the club’s transfer record – which previously stood at £30.75million paid for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008 – for the 25-year-old.
Dutch striker Robin van Persie was one of the first players to welcome Mata to United, posting on his Twitter account: ‘Welcome Juan Mata. See you all Tuesday.’
Photographers arrived outside United’s training base early on Saturday morning in anticipation of Mata’s arrival.
Veteran defender Rio Ferdinand joked about the media presence on his Twitter account, posting: ‘Who they here for??? Cameras at the Carrington entrance….gave them my best smile!! #Baggyeyes!’
Mata’s signing will give Moyes’ side a huge boost for the second half of the season and the club confirmed the deal on their Twitter account on Friday night: ‘Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Chelsea Football Club for the transfer of Juan Mata for a club-record fee.
‘The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.
‘A further announcement will be made in due course.’
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho praised the Spanish midfielder on Friday, saying: ‘Nobody here is jumping because Juan is leaving.
‘After that, it’s the way you look at things. Would Chelsea supporters be happy if we stop a fantastic person they all like a lot from going and say you can only go if you go to Russia or China or France or Portugal?
‘I don’t know if Chelsea supporters would be happy because we are an open club. We don’t have an old-fashioned way to look at things.
‘But Juan had a fantastic opportunity. Another big club wants him in a country where he loves to be. We had an offer which was the right offer a player of his quality.
The player deserves respect and to be happy – to play where he wants.
Daily Mail
