Reports from Spain says the player needs to admit he wants to leave.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague says Juan Mata’s £39.5m transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United is as good as done, as reported in AS.
However, the mild-mannered and professional attacking midfielder will have to admit the 25-year-old wants to leave Stamford Bridge before the deal can be completed.
It still seems like a strange move though as Mata is still considered to be on of the Blues’ best players, despite having been marginalised by manager Jose Mourinho.
The Spain international has been limited to just 14 appearances in all competitions this term and it’s a sign of how highly revered Mourinho is in west London that this tactic has gone largely unpunished by the fans.
Mata is a favourite of the terraces at the Bridge and it’s hard to imagine any other coach getting away with selling the Spaniard.
In fact even Mourinho is likely to receive some sort of backlash from the supporters – especially if the midfield ace does join another Premier League team.
Balague argues that it’s a shrewd tactic by the Portuguese coach to undermine Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race, as the 50-year-old’s side have already played the Red Devils twice in the league.
Yet this seems like an odd opinion to come to as United were always likely to struggle in the transition period between Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and David Moyes taking over.
If Mata were to move to Old Trafford then it would be a massive coup for Moyes and with world-class stars such as Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie already at the club, could realistically mount a title challenge again next season.
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