The Spanish club announced Sunday on its website that it “has reached a preliminary deal with Chelsea FC for the transfer of the football player Juan Manuel Mata.”
Spanish media reports says the transfer fee will cost Chelsea about ?30 million ($43 million).
Mata joined Valencia from Real Madrid’s youth team in 2007. Last season, the 23-year-old forward scored eight goals to help Valencia to a third-place finish.
Mata was part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad. He was also captain of the under-21 team that won the European Championship this year.
If Mata leaves, the financially troubled Valencia will have sold all four of its world champions: David Villa (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City) and Raul Albiol (Real Madrid).
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