Manchester United have upped their interested in Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata, and according to Daily Mail, the Blues have asked the 19-time EPL champions to put a whopping 40 million pounds on the table.

The defending Premier League champions have the cash to pull off the deal and manager David Moyes' interest in the playmaker could see the Old Trafford club making an offer soon.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly willing to let Mata go if United match their valuation. His side inflicted seventh defeat for United this Premier League season when they beat the Red Devils 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, thanks to a hat-trick by Samuel Eto'o.

Mata, however, doesn't seem to figure in Mourinho's plan since the Portuguese re-joined Chelsea at the start of the ongoing season, which has also put Mata's place in the Spain national side for the World Cup in jeopardy. But Mourinho favours Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian over Mata in the midfield.

Mourinho hasn't ruled out the possibility of his playmaker leaving if he demanded to go.

Chelsea are currently third on the EPL leaderboard, but just two points behind table-toppers Arsenal. United, meanwhile, are languishing at seventh with their chance to defend the title almost out of the picture.