Huge: Premier League rivals make shocking bid for United’s star midfielder
Aug 10, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Everton could spend some of the £50million they received from Manchester City for John Stones on signing Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata.
Everton are currently working on deals for Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams (£9.5m), Sunderland defender Lamine Kone (£18m) and Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie (£25m).
But Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has also linked the Toffies with an audacious move for United’s Mata.
The Spaniard was substituted on and off by Jose Mourinho during United’s 2-1 Community Shield victory over Leicester on Sunday. However, it reignited rumours the midfielder with an Old Trafford departure.
The 28-year-old came on in the 63rd minute of the 2-1 victory, only to be taken off again in the 93rd minute – after which he didn’t seem too happy with his manager.
In the aftermath of the victory, Mourinho however tried to explain the move as a need to bring on a taller player for the Spaniard because the Foxes were bombarding the box in the final minutes.
Mourinho sold Mata to United during his second spell as Chelsea boss as there has been talking he could be offloaded by him again, this time at Old Trafford.
But Sky Sports’ latest report show a contradictory angle as they claim Mata most likely to remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of this summer transfer window.
With the likes of Wayne Rooney, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Adnan Januzaj, Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial all competing for spots behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mata must accept he is not likely to command a regular spot. Mata managed to thrive in the final third under the tactics of Louis van Gaal and shouldn’t be dismissed as a Red Devil.
The Sun claimed if Mata is ready to accept he’s part of a squad rotation policy, then Mourinho is happy to keep the Spanish midfielder.