Leeds United have reportedly made an offer to former Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata over a Bosman move this summer.
According to Diario AS, Juan Mata is staring at an uncertain future right now. Although several clubs are thinking about the prospect of signing the former Manchester United playmaker this summer, none of them are yet to come up with an official offer, except one Premier League outfit in the form of Leeds United.
The Whites have recently contacted Mata’s father over a potential move to Elland Road this summer. The two parties are currently in talks over a free transfer, but the pace of the negotiations remains slow. Mata is open to offers from other clubs across Europe, especially amid interest from Besiktas and Galatasaray.
But it is Leeds United who have shown the desire to sign the veteran playmaker, who has a stellar record in the Premier League. During his time at Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively, Mata has made a combined total of almost 300 appearances in the English top-flight.
Although the Spaniard has never won the Premier League title, he has won many other accolades including the UEFA Champions League, a European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. He has also won two Europa League trophies and two FA Cup titles, making him one of the most decorated players in Spanish football right now.
Leeds United believe Mata’s strong exposure to the highest level of football could go a long way in helping them maintain their top-flight status next season. The club historically are not shy of signing ageing playmakers, with the Whites notably enjoying immense success with the acquisition of Pablo Hernandez a few years ago.
The 37-year-old had made a great impact in Marcelo Bielsa’s system, and his contributions in the final third were vital in helping Leeds United secure promotion to the Premier League in 2020. The West Yorkshire outfit are aiming for a similar pattern with the acquisition of Mata this summer.
However, in these early stages of the transfer window, it won’t be surprising to see the former Manchester United man taking his time and holding out for better offers. Aside from Besiktas and Galatasaray, he has been courted by other clubs in the past, including Sevilla and Real Betis, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the ex-Manchester United playmaker this summer.
