Manchester United face late competition from Atletico Madrid for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata.
The Telegraph says United are ready to overcome efforts by Atlético Madrid to hijack their £37 million move for Mata by closing in on a club-record deal for the Chelsea midfielder before the weekend.
United have been given encouragement that a bid for Mata will be accepted by Chelsea, despite Jose Mourinho's preference for the player to remain at Stamford Bridge, and the two clubs are close to settling on a valuation of the former Valencia player.
Atlético are determined to bolster their push for the Spanish title by adding Mata to Diego Simeone's squad.
Although no bid had been lodged by United as of Tuesday night, Chelsea were expecting an imminent formal offer from Old Trafford for Mata, with intermediaries hopeful of a breakthrough in negotiations for the 25-year-old.
