Juan Mata's representatives flew in on Wednesday to complete a £37million deal to take the midfielder to Manchester United before the end of the week.
The Chelsea star missed training and he is convinced he will have a medical before the weekend.
Jose Mourinho was watching his first team train but Mata was conspicuous by his absence at their Cobham training ground.
There's no Juan there: Chelsea players at Cobham training ground on Wednesday, minus Juan Mata
Absence: Despite most of the squad being present, Mata was nowhere to be seen
Not in his plans: Jose Mourinho has not played Mata since bringing him off against Southampton
Although United are treating the deal with extreme caution after their failure to land a string of big names last summer, manager David Moyes believes the move is close to being concluded.
‘I fully understand that supporters are keen to see us freshen up the squad with new faces, but January is a difficult month in which to bring people in,’ Moyes told United Review in his programme notes for the Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg encoutner with Sunderland.
‘While we are actively scouting players all the time, a lot of the work we are doing now is preparation for the summer.
United we stand: Javier Hernandez, David de Gea, Alex Buttner and Ryan Giggs arrive at the Lowry Hotel ahead of Wednesday night's Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg clash against Sunderland
'If we can do any business now then we will certainly try to do it, but I will not comprimise the standards required for a player that can come into this club and help improve it.’
Mata is determined to leave Chelsea after becoming frustrated with his failure to impress Mourinho this season.
United, who are six points off fourth place in the Barclays Premier League, are under financial pressure to qualify for the Champions League.
And although the transfer fee is a huge increase on the £23.5m Chelsea paid Valencia in 2011, Moyes is keen to land a big signing in the transfer window.
What more do I have to do? Mata is determined to leave Chelsea to increase his playing time
Deal me in: Manchester United manager David Moyes would love to sign the Spanish playmaker
Frosty: Mata has not played under Mourinho since storming off the pitch at Southampton on New Year's Day
Mata is determined to push through the move and Mourinho is understood to have accepted that he wants to leave in search of first-team football.
The midfielder has concerns about his inclusion in Spain’s World Cup squad this summer if he is not playing regularly for his club side and Moyes will give him that opportunity as he starts building a team for the future.
United are treading carefully only because Moyes and his chief executive Ed Woodward failed to sign the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas during the summer.
National pride: Mata is fearful of his place in Spain's squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil
Gunning for it: United failed in a bid to lure Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas to Old Trafford
But this time they have been given all the encouragement they need that Mata wants to leave Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the past two seasons has not featured in the club’s last three games.
After he stormed off at Southampton on New Year’s Day, Mourinho admitted he would listen to offers, prompting United to make their move.
Final nail: Chelsea beat United last weekend - with Samuel Eto'o celebrating - without Mata
At a loss: Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick and Phil Jones look dejected after conceding at Stamford Bridge
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