Juan Mata reportedly did not take part during Chelsea's training session earlier today, amid growing speculation that he is a transfer target of Manchester United.

Rumours over the last 24 hours have suggested that the two rival teams had opened negotiations regarding the transfer of the Spanish international.

While neither club has passed comment on the reports, Mata's supposed absence from Cobham has resulted in some media outlets having claimed that an agreement is close to being reached.

It has been stated that Chelsea would demand £37m for the 25-year-old, who joined them from Valencia for £23.5m in 2011.