Valencia says deal reached with Chelsea for Mata

VALENCIA, Spain (AP)—Valencia said an agreement has been reached with Chelsea to sell forward Juanma Mata to the Premier League club.

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.”

The deal is subject to Mata passing a medical examination. No further details were released.

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).