Leeds United
Championship
Both parties pushing for transfer with Leeds United deep in negotiations with Juan Mata
Leeds are interested in a free-transfer move for Juan Mata and have been in contact with the veteran midfielder, claims a report in Spain.
It was announced in June that 34-year-old Mata would leave Manchester United upon the expiry of his contract. And now the former Chelsea star is looking for the next chapter after spending more than 10 years in the UK.
A Man Utd statement read: “Thank you for dedicating eight years of your career to United, Juan.
“Everyone at the club wishes you all the best for the future.”
Now, according to AS, Leeds chief Victor Orta is in talks with Mata’s father and agent Juan Manuel Mata Rodriguez over a transfer.
It may well be that Jesse Marsch is looking for a bit more guile from his midfield and the experienced Mata would certainly provide that.
He has 51 goals and 64 assists in 278 Premier League matches for Chelsea and Man Utd.
However, “negotiations are slow” but both parties apparently want to close the transfer.
The major sticking point will be the Spaniard’s contract length and salary. He was understood to be on around £160,000 a week at Old Trafford, despite making just 12 appearances last season.
Just four of those appearances were starts and it was no surprise when he was released by the club.
But despite his inactivity his representatives are still chasing a lucrative deal for Mata.
Juan Mata contract under discussion
There has been interest from Galatasaray and Besiktas, but only Leeds United have put an offer on the table.
According to Spanish source Mundo Deportivo last month, Mata had three options.
One option was Saudi Arabian team Al Hilal. And impressively Al Hilal were offering him a slight pay rise, having reportedly offered the player around £8.5m per season.
Mundo Deportivo state Mata also has offers on the table from Spain, which makes sense. While, the two big guns in Turkey also hold an interest but do not have the financial scope to make a competitive offer.
Leeds have backed Marsch this summer with six arrivals, but the Whites have lost Kalvin Phillips. While Raphinha is finally set to wrap up a move to Barcelona.
Phillips was understood to be on a salary of around £40,000 a week. And so to get anywhere near what Mata was earning at Old Trafford, Orta would have to smash the wage ceiling at Elland Road.