• Premier League

Valencia tell Arsenal & Liverpool: 'Mata is not for sale'

ESPNsoccernet staff
July 11, 2011
Juan Mata is not for sale according to Valencia © PA Photos
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Valencia president Manuel Llorente is adamant that in-demand winger Juan Mata will not be leaving the club this summer, despite reports linking him with Arsenal and Liverpool refusing to subside.

Mata, 23, cemented his reputation as one of Europe's most fearsome wide men with some excellent displays during Spain's European Under-21 Championship triumph in June, leading to speculation that the Gunners would like to add him to their ranks.

Tottenham have also emerged as contenders to sign the Los Che star, but Llorente insisted his prized asset is going nowhere.

"Juan Mata is not for sale," Llorente said. "We have not received any offers for the player. The news that appears in the media is just rumours. We have a very good squad at Valencia and our priority now is to sign a central defender."

Llorente's assertion comes three days after Mata's father, Juan Senior, claimed Arsenal had made contact with Valencia over a deal for the former Real Madrid winger.

"There have been calls from foreign clubs but now the decision rests with Valencia. [Juan] is on his holidays," he was quoted as saying by the Mirror last Friday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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