Real Madrid are reportedly lining up a sensational move for Spanish international Juan Mata, who seems to be frozen out by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
According to an exclusive from Express, Real Madrid are lining up to add another one from the Spanish international contingent to their squad, the player being none other than Juan Mata. The former Valencia and Chelsea star could be on his way out of Manchester United and Los Blancos are preparing a January move for the player.
Juan Mata’s Manchester United career is laden with great performances under every manager. But, there have been question marks over his role in the first-team setup ever since the arrival of Jose Mourinho.
And while the signs looked bright for the duo’s relationship, which had seemingly broken down at Stamford Bridge as the Portuguese ultimately sold the playmaker to United, the recent indications all point towards a repeat of the Chelsea situation.
The latest snub came in the form of Mata being left out of the squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a match they ended up losing 1-0 to the home side. Mata’s contract situation isn’t reassuring either to the United fans, with the Spaniard into his last year of the deal.
And the player would be eligible to talk to other clubs from January if an extension is not signed by then. With such uncertainty surrounding Mata, who has often been linked with a move back to Spain, Mourinho might just decide to outright sell the player come the January transfer window.
Real Madrid are planning a shock move for Juan Mata, whose Manchester United contract expires at the end of the season. (Source: Daily Express) pic.twitter.com/pFPSSDcC8v
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 8, 2017
And it seems there is one big taker for Mata in the market, with Real Madrid eyeing a move for the Spaniard to boost the creativity in their squad. Real have started the season slowly, with the club and Cristiano Ronaldo both seemingly in a rut.
Mata, who is often hailed as the enabler with his playmaking skills, could just be the answer. Also, the player would come cheap and given his age, is in the right stage of his career and form to make the move, which could yield Real 2-3 years of quality.
The question remains as to the space in Real Madrid’s squad, should the club sign Mata in January. Mata and Isco are discernibly similar in terms of playing style, movement, average position on the pitch and many more footballing aspects.
Zidane could deploy Ronaldo as the lone forward and push one of Mata and Isco on the wing to accommodate the other in the midfield three, barring which we could see the United playmaker play a similar rotation role at the Bernabeu.
Mata has never shied away from the possibility of a return to Spain and with Real Madrid set to call along with his contract situation at United, it may just be time for him to take his skills back to his homeland.
