According to widespread reports, summarised in the Guardian, David Moyes will put forward a formal offer for the Chelsea outcast ‘in the next couple of days’, an offer that could well shatter the club’s current transfer record.
A massive £37m is said to be the amount, with Moyes desperate to secure the attacker this month, but it will be up to Jose Mourinho to make the final decision on the Spaniard.
Mata has been marginalised by Mourinho this season, with the Portuguese preferring to utilise Oscar in the number 10 role behind the striker, while giving new signing Willian the freedom on the right flank. Eden Hazard, arguably Chelsea’s player of the season so far, has nailed down the left-wing spot.
Mourinho’s preference for the trio has seen Kevin De Bruyne depart the club this month to Wolfsburg, and now Manchester United are set to seriously test Chelsea’s resolve to keep Mata beyond the winter transfer window.
The club have firmly denied all speculation linking the reigning Chelsea Player of the Year with a January exit, but while the Blues may want to keep him, the 25-year-old has grown visibly more and more frustrated as the months have gone on.
After a particularly distressed reaction after being substituted against Southampton earlier in the month, it seemed as though it was only a matter of time until he left Stamford Bridge.
But Mourinho soon reiterated his desire to keep the player at the club,
Chelsea legend Michael Ballack sympathises with Mata, and cannot fathom why Mourinho has not given the playmaker a run in the side,
“I can’t understand why Mourinho is having trouble to get his best from his forwards and I think not playing Mata is a mistake.” said the former German captain (via the Daily Star)
United boss David Moyes is searching far and wide for midfield reinforcement, having seen his current crop come under intense criticisms for a lackluster first half of the season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will go back on his word concerning Mata, but if the Spaniard specifically asks for a transfer, then the doors may well open for United to steal the player away.
What do you think? Should Chelsea sell Mata? Will the Spaniard want the move? Let us know in the comments below…
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