The reigning champions haven’t made their move yet, but could break their club record to sign the Spaniard.
Chelsea
Manchester United last night denied having made a bid for Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, but the champions ARE preparing a £37million bid to land the Blues misfit.
David Moyes’ response to the defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday which left the champions 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal and six shy of fourth-placed Liverpool was to target the Spanish playmaker.
United insisted last night that they have NOT tabled any bid for Mata , but Chelsea are braced for an official approach from Old Trafford in the next 48 hours which could see former Valencia schemer Mata leaving London.
Mourinho insists he does not want Mata to leave and it is understood that is very much Chelsea’s position over the popular 25-year-old.
United, though, have now played Chelsea twice and so Mata could not damage their title bid this season, while the Old Trafford outfit still have to face both Arsenal and Manchester City.
If United are ready to break the bank for Mata, who might then help them take points off Chelsea’s two closest title rivals, it would make real sense, especially as the Spaniard would be ineligible for his new club in the Champions League knock-out phase.
It could also open a potential avenue for Chelsea to once again express their interest in Wayne Rooney, with Fernando Torres facing up to a month out with a knee injury and Demba Ba the only fit back-up to Samuel Eto’o.
Moyes and United need a boost before the transfer window shuts in 11 days’ time and capturing Mata would galvanise the Old Trafford dressing room and the fans.
Mourinho, though, is sure to play hard-ball over the Spaniard, despite the fact that he has lost his preferred starting No 10 role to Oscar and is behind Eden Hazard, Willian and Andre Schurrle in the Chelsea pecking order.
Mata’s last Blues appearance – only his 14th start of the season – came at Southampton on January 1, when he publicly showed his frustrations, for the first time, after being brought off before the hour mark.
Sources close to the player have insisted he is not minded to quit Chelsea and will not push for a move but if the Blues show him the exit door the chance to get regular first team football in World Cup year could prove hard to resist.
And if a sale helped Chelsea in their long-term quest to land Rooney , now inside the last 18 months of his United contract, it could prove a win-win deal for both clubs.