Manchester United have reportedly made a new contract offer to Spanish playmaker Juan Mata to stave off interest from Arsenal and Barcelona.
As per a report from the Daily Mirror, Manchester United have offered a new one-year contract to midfielder Juan Mata, amid interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and La Liga champions Barcelona.
The 30-year-old Spaniard is in the final six months of his current contract with the Red Devils and is able to negotiate with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement for a summer move. This has led to a flurry of interest in his signing, with a number of clubs across Europe monitoring his situation.
Spanish champions Barcelona are one of the clubs credited with serious interest in Mata. The Catalan giants are set to lose Denis Suarez to Arsenal before the end of the month, while the futures of Brazilian midfield duo Philippe Coutinho and Rafinha Alcantara remain in doubt as well, leading them to consider signing a creative midfielder.
And Mata’s availability on a free transfer at the end of the season has emerged as an enticing avenue for Barcelona. However, they are facing stiff competition from Premier League outfit Arsenal, who are also looking to add a playmaker to their ranks, as star man Mesut Ozil’s future at the club hangs by the thread.
The former Real Madrid man has fallen out of favour under Unai Emery and the former Sevilla and PSG boss is keen on reuniting with Mata, who he worked with during his time at La Liga outfit Valencia.
Along with the aforementioned clubs, Serie A champions Juventus are also believed to be keeping a watch on Mata’s situation. And in order to stave off interest in the 30-year-old, Manchester United have made a new one-year contract offer for the former World Cup winner.
Mata joined Manchester United from Chelsea in January 2014 in a £37 million deal and has gone on to rack up over 200 appearances for the Red Devils, winning a League Cup, an FA Cup and an UEFA Europa League trophy during his time at Old Trafford.
A firm fan favourite at Manchester United, Mata, who earns £140,000 per week, has seen game time come at a premium this season, more so since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the reins of the club last month. The 30-year-old has started just four of the nine games that the Norwegian has been in-charge for.
Given a rare opportunity on Tuesday night against Burnley, the former Chelsea superstar failed to make much of an impact. However, Manchester United are keen on extending his stay beyond this season and to that end, have made a new twelve-month contract offer worth £6.7 million-a-year.
It is believed that Mata’s representatives have already been in touch with Barcelona, exploring the possibility of a transfer at the end of the season. But, with Manchester United upping their efforts to keep hold of him, it remains to be seen if the Spaniard changes his mind and decides to stay put at Old Trafford for another season.
