Manchester United have made a bid in the region of £35m for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata.
Mata, 25, has been linked with a move from Stamford Bridge having struggled to hold down a regular starting place under Jose Mourinho.
United deny making an official offer, but an initial bid has been tabled through intermediaries acting on behalf of the Premier League champions.
Mata did not train with Chelsea's first team on Wednesday.
Chelsea yesterday insisted that Mata, who has been voted the club's player of the year two seasons in a row, was not for sale.
But the Spaniard has been substituted in nine of his 13 Premier League appearances for the Blues this season, prompting speculation clubs could target his signature in the January transfer window.