MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Juan Mata is on the brink of becoming the most expensive player in Manchester United's history after the Premier League champions announced yesterday they have reached an agreement with Chelsea over the transfer of the Spain midfielder.

United released a statement saying Mata will move for a club-record fee "subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms."

Although United didn't give any further details, the club this week made a bid of 37 million pounds ($61 million) for Mata, which would eclipse the 30.7 million pounds that United paid to sign striker Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham in 2008.

starting line-up

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said Mata had requested to leave Stamford Bridge after losing his place in the London club's starting line-up.

"I asked him (Mata), 'Are you really happy to go?'" Mourinho said. "He said, 'Yes, I'm really happy to go.'

The 25-year-old Mata was Chelsea's player of the year for the last two seasons but has been marginalised at the London club this campaign following the return of Mourinho as manager.

He has largely been on the bench, with Mourinho preferring Eden Hazard, Willian and Oscar as his playmakers.

United refused to negotiate with Chelsea in the offseason when Mourinho lodged two bids for Wayne Rooney, who was pushing for a transfer after losing his regular place in United's team.

Mourinho said that hadn't been a factor in dealing with Mata.

United will hope the arrival of Mata, who is likely to be in Spain's squad for the World Cup in Brazil, proves to be a turning point in its so-far lacklustre season under new manager David Moyes.

The team is languishing in seventh place in the Premier League, 14 points behind leader Arsenal, and facing a fight to secure one of the four Champions League places.