Arsenal have reportedly been linked with Valencia’s Juan Mata, and apparently, we have placed an £18 million bid for the Spaniard’s services this summer.
If this is true, then we felt it only right to give you guys the low down on this exciting young midfielder.
Here are 10 things you should know about Arsenal target Juan Mata:
1. Born in Burgos, Spain on the 28th of April 1986, Juan Manuel Mata started his career playing for Oviedo where his father (also named Juan) spent most of his career.
2. Juan Mata moved to Real Madrid in 2003, where he stayed for 4 years playing for both there main squad and B Side.
3. In March 2007, the Spaniard eventually moved to Valencia, where he started making a name for himself benefiting from injuries to other players. It was here that he started proving that he had the capabilities to play for the first-team permanently.
4. During his first season at Valencia, Mata was voted Best Young Player by fans and amongst his peers.
5. In the 2008 Spanish Super Cup, Juan Mata scored against his former club Real Madrid in a 3–2 first leg home victory, but Valencia lost the second leg away 4-2 meaning they lost 6-5 on aggregate.
Let’s take a look at Juan Mata’s 2011 highlights:
6. It is known that Arsenal are not the only club said to be interested in signing Mata. Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City are also keeping an eye on his situation at Valencia. However, the Spaniard has today stated that he is ‘not desperate’ to quit Valencia. ‘I want to win a trophy with Valencia next season. I’ve not planned anything different as I’ve a contract until 2015’.
7. Juan Mata has worked his way through the Spanish national side starting with the Under-16 in 2004, before making his debut on March 28th 2009 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Turkey – he came on as a substitute for team mate Villa, in the 63rd minute.
8. On the 9th of September 2009, Mata scored his first goal for the senior team, as they picked up a 3–0 win against Estonia, in doing so, Mata helped his side secure a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
9. During the 2010/11 season, Mata scored 8 goals in 31 league appearances for Valencia, giving him a slightly better record than his previous season which saw him score 9 goals in 35 games.
10. It is known that although Valencia will want to keep him this summer, the La Liga side are in financial difficulties, and Real Madrid could be ready to offer Pedro Leon in exchange which may tempt the side. Otherwise a figure of around £20 million would more than likely be accepted for his services this summer.
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1 thing you should know is that he signed for Chelsea. Arsenal can longer attract top quality players because Wenger has lost his marbles, hes loco, he is a relic, a has-been, we need to get in Jose or Rafa. Wenger is a goner 🙁