• Premier League

United weigh up club record bid for Mata

ESPN staff
January 21, 2014
Do United need to overhaul their squad?

Manchester United a lining up a club record £37m bid for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, according to the Daily Telegraph.

While United club sources denied a deal had been put forward, it is believed to have been discussed and that Chelsea are willing to let the midfielder go if the price is right.

Transfer Window LIVE

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho denied that Mata would be sold as recently as Friday, but that was prior to his side heaping more pressure on David Moyes by inflicting a 3-1 defeat on United in their Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Now they may be able to extract a premium price for a player who has not featured since showing his displeasure at being substituted during the New Year's Day game against Southampton.

With their title hopes fading and the prospect of missing out on the top four and a Champions League place becoming more apparent by the game, United may need to make a significant move before the transfer window closes at the end of this month. A club record move for Mata, 25, could rejuvenate a squad and midfield that has looked off the pace throughout the season so far.

United's record transfer fee has stood since the summer deadline day of 2008, when they swooped to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Spurs for £30.8m.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices