The Juan for me! Mata Snr guest of honour at Arsenal as twitchy Wenger prepares to rival Tottenham for Chelsea playmaker
Arsene Wenger has admitted he wants to bring Juan Mata to the Emirates after the Gunners sealed their place in the Champions League group stage.
Following the Spain playmaker’s omission from the Chelsea starting line-up at Manchester United on Monday night, rumours circulated he was available for transfer.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed in July that Arsenal were monitoring Mata’s position at Chelsea and the fact his father was a guest at the Emirates has only heightened talk of a shock switch for the Spain international.
Late attempt by Arsenal? Juan Mata has attracted the interest of Arsene Wenger
‘I watched the [Chelsea] game last night that Juan Mata could be on the market. I don’t know, there is a reluctance in England to sell to each other,’ said Wenger.
‘Does that frustrate me? Yes, I like him.
‘Everybody knows we are in the market. The whole world knows that now. I cannot be more creative than that, because all has been said and nothing has been concluded.’
Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham are also believed to be lining up a approach for Mata.
Spurs will pocket £86milllion from the imminent transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid and have earmarked the Spaniard as a replacement for the Wales international.
Despite enjoying two fruitful seasons with the Stamford Bridge club, Mata faces playing a bit-part role this season following the £30m arrival of Willian.
One start: Mata's only Premier League appearance so far this season came against Aston Villa
Inflated prices: Wenger's transfer difficulties have been widely known
The Brazilian had already completed a medical at White Hart Lane but opted to join their London rivals, leaving relations between the clubs strained.
But that hasn't stopped Spurs considering a bid, although Chelsea have denied that an approach has been received.
Atletico Madrid were the first club to register their interest in the 25-year-old and are keen to take the Spain international on loan having lost Radamel Falcao, their talisman from last season, to Monaco over the summer for £50m..
Mata was left as an unused substitute for Chelsea's bore draw with Manchester United and his only action so far this season was 65 minutes in their victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Spanish hopes: Mata may lose out even more on playing time with the arrival of Brazilian Willian
‘It is a crucial department for us,’ he said ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League showdown at Manchester United on Monday night.
‘It is crucial because of the game we want to play and the intensity we want to have. We need alternatives and rotation and we need players to keep that intensity and that dynamic.
‘In this moment it looks like we have a lot but when we get to September — and I am not talking October, November, December, January, I am talking about September — we have the Premier League, the Champions League, the Capital One Cup, a double national team fixture.
‘When this time arrives, 22 players is not a big squad and when you can add more quality it is not a problem. It’s a solution.
‘A problem is for the managers without enough quality in their team.’
Determined to keep him: Jose Mourinho has said that he wants Mata to stay
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2403470/Arsene-Wenger-admits-Juan-Mata-Spaniards-dad-guest-honour-Arsenal.html#ixzz2dF2KIje6
[ 此帖被Ar敬在2013-08-28 14:12重新編輯 ]
