Manchester United plots Mata swoop

Manchester United are trying to prise Juan Mata from Chelsea for £37 million but it looks more likely that the Spain international will head to Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid on loan.

David Moyes is prepared to break the club's transfer record in an attempt to sign the player, who is willing to move so he can boost his World Cup hopes

Chelsea were on Monday night braced for a possible bid for Juan Mata from Manchester United.

A deal, which would break United’s transfer record, has been discussed with intermediaries. United would have to offer around £37 million for the 25-year-old Spain international in the hope of pushing a deal through.

United sources insisted on Monday night that no bid had been made but it is understood that the club do admire Mata and might consider a move.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has stated that he does not want Mata, who has been linked to a host of clubs throughout Europe, to leave this month but it is understood the midfielder does now want to go.

Mata has dropped down the pecking order at Chelsea with Mourinho having decided that Oscar, Eden Hazard and Willian will form his attacking trio behind a central striker.

Cesc pursuit 'waste of time' - Pique

Manchester United are preparing to submit a third bid for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, a source has told ESPN, but they are "wasting their time" Gerard Pique says.
Pique insists Fabregas has told his Barca team-mates that he will stay in Spain.

Pique told The Sun: “United are wasting their time. It took a long time for Cesc to get his dream move back home and he won’t give it up. This is home
, it is where his family is, and he is playing with his closest friends.

“He has told us he is happy and that he intends to stay with Barcelona.”

Moyes and his squad have now touched down in Japan after spending a week in Australia, and the tour agenda continues to be dominated by their ongoing pursuit of Fabregas.

While United’s desire to sign Fabregas appears to be as strong as ever, the noises coming out of the Barcelona camp suggests they may struggle to strike a deal with the Catalan club, who are currently in the process of appointing a new head coach following Tito Vilanova’s resignation last Friday.


Information from soccernet.com was used in this report.