• Premier League

Arsenal target Mata back on the market

ESPNsoccernet staff
July 21, 2011
Juan Mata would exit the Mastella should the right offer come in © PA Photos
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Arsenal's hopes of landing young Spain international Juan Mata have taken a boost with Valencia now admitting they would be willing to accept an offer for the 23-year-old this summer.

Mata has been linked with a move to the Emirates since starring in the European Under-21 Championships, but talk of a Premier League switch was quashed by his current club 10 days ago when president Manuel Llorente explicitly claimed, "Juan Mata is not for sale".

However, the La Liga club, who cashed in on David Villa and David Silva last summer, now appear willing to back-flip on that stance should the right offer come in for Mata.

"The possibility exists that Mata will leave the club," Valencia manager Unai Emery told Marca.

"We want him to stay and Mata has also expressed his desire to stay at Valencia, but at the same time we cannot stop a player who really wants to leave for money or for a bigger club.

"So, if there is a large financial offer from any club, that is good for both us and him, we will have to let him leave."

Tottenham and Liverpool are also believed to be interested in the winger, but Arsenal's potential to offer Champions League football next season is understood to put the Gunners as frontrunners for Mata's signature.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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