Juan Mata will have his pick of three LaLiga clubs this summer after a report confirmed he has decided to quit Manchester United and return to Spain.
The veteran playmaker has played an increasingly reduced role for the Red Devils in recent seasons. Indeed, having signed from Chelsea for £37.1m in January 2014, Mata has made 283 appearances for United.
However, Mata has appeared just 28 times over the past two seasons, with only 10 matches to his name this season. And during Monday’s 3-0 win over Brentford – Manchester United’s last home game of the season – Mata was handed his first start.
It was seen as a sign by many of a sure sign of his departure this summer. And his emotional applauding of the supporters upon his substitution in the 73rd minute further strengthened these claims.
It’s a shame the same opportunity was not afforded to Jesse Lingard, with the player making a subtle dig at Ralf Rangnick.
Ahead of what is sure to be a summer of massive changes, Mata is one player United are seemingly willing to keep around. While his contract expires on June 30, we understand United are open to keeping him on a one-year extension.
And while Rangnick is publicly conceding the Spaniard may leave, he’s also keen to stress that nothing has been communicated to the club as of yet.
However, Wednesday’s edition of Sport claims Mata has now decided against staying at Old Trafford and will finish his career in Spain.
Now 35, they claim Mata ‘always had it in his mind’ to return to Spain when arriving in England in 2011.
Star to pick from three clubs
Furthermore, they report that Mata will now choose from three clubs where to end his playing days. They write that three clubs are reportedly in the running to sign the veteran star.
As such, Mata will pick from former club Valencia, as well as Real Betis and Real Sociedad.
They write that all three clubs are ‘following’ Mata and are ‘attentive to his needs’ for a transfer.
Los Che has the obvious…
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