Juan Mata will now cost any potential suitors 35m Euros after a gentleman’s agreement between Valencia and the player expired.
Arsenal had a cut-price offer for the winger rejected over the weekend and will now have to stump up a lot more money if they are to tempt Valencia into selling.
Mata had an agreement that he could leave for 25m Euros before the 1st August on the basis that it left his club with enough time to find a replacement for him before the season kicked off, however with that deadline now gone, his club are a lot more reluctant to part with the Spanish international.
The news will come as a major blow to both North London clubs, who were keen to bring in the 23 year old for the new season.
It now looks a lot less likely that the player will leave Valencia this summer, and so Arsenal and Tottenham may have to look elsewhere.
Mata himself is thought to prefer a move to Arsenal, but it remains to be seen if they are willing to up their previous bid.
COMMENTS