Manchester United interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, will give the club the approval to terminate Juan Mata’s contract, the UK Sun reports.
Mata has six months left on his current deal at Old Trafford, after signing an extension in the summer.
But the Spanish midfielder will not be offered fresh terms, after making only two starts for United all season.
He could leave as early as January, with a return to Spain looking increasingly likely.
Real Sociedad are keen on a move for Mata, who has not featured at all in the Premier League this season.
And La Real are looking to convince United to “tear up” Mata’s contract so they can bring him in for free.
The Basque club are currently sixth in LaLiga flight and have a big chance of making the top four and Champions League qualification.
It is also understood that Rangnick will not stand in the way of the transfer.
I’ll have to wait another year to take Mata’s shirt number – Bruno Fernandes laments