Rumours of an imminent bid for Chelsea’s Juan Mata via an intermediary worth £40m have begun filtering through today.
Figures between £35m and £37m were earlier touted but Chelsea will want to make the most of United’s squad predicament to squeeze as much money as possible out of the Old Trafford club.
Mata is reported to have attended training at Chelsea’s Cobham complex but did not train with the first team, an indication that a move might be imminent.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been on the record explaining why Mata, Chelsea’s player of the season for the last two seasons, has been sidelined this season under the Portuguese.
A move for the out-of-favour playmaker may increase competition for the second striker position at Old Trafford, with Wayne Rooney, Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj all playing there this season.
Mata’s signing may not mean that United’s spending was over as they still seek a central midfielder and possibly a defender.