Mata is scheduled to undertake a United medical on Thursday as he puts the finishing touches to his club-record transfer to Old Trafford.
There was a breakthrough in talks between Chelsea and United on Wednesday, with the London club giving the 25-year-old permission to miss first-team training in the morning.
Barring any late hiccups, Mata is expected to make his debut for David Moyes’ team in their Premier League clash against Cardiff City next Tuesday.
Chelsea, who have had an approach for Wayne Rooney rejected in the January window, are set to make an immediate attempt to reshape their squad by trying to prise Salah from Swiss champions Basel.
The 21-year-old Egyptian made a series of eye-catching appearances in the Champions League before Christmas, scoring the equaliser for Basel in their unexpected 2-1 win at Chelsea in the group stage and repeating the feat in the 1-0 win at St Jakob Park.
The Londoners are prepared to reinvest around €12m, a quarter of the Mata money, in Salah although Basel value the wide player at closer to €18m.
Chelsea's strong interest could scupper Liverpool's bid to sign the Egyptian this month.
They will make their move after negotiating a big profit on Mata, who cost €28.7m when he signed from Valencia in 2011.
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