Arsenal have been dealt a bitter blow today after Valencia president Manuel Llorente has told Emirates outfit that Juan Mata will not be leaving the Estadio Mestalla, according to several reports.
The Spain Under-21 international has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with Arsenal believed to have expressed the most interest in the 23-year-olds services.
Mata, who managed to bag 10 goals and 15 assist in 40 appearances for Valencia last season, is rated as one of the best wingers in Europe and, with Samir Nasri’s future at Arsenal still undetermined, Arsene Wenger was thought to be eyeing up the young Spaniard as a potential replacement for the French midfielder.
However, Arsenal, as well as other clubs interested, will now have to shift their focus elsewhere after Llorente recently issued a hands-off warning and insisted Mata is not for sale.
Llorente was quoted on talkSPORT.com saying:
‘Juan Mata is not for sale. We have not received any offers for the player. The news that appears in the media is just rumours.’
‘We have a very good squad at Valencia and our priority now is to sign a central defender.’
No doubt this will come as a blow to some Arsenal fans as well as Wenger, who is believed to be a keen admirer of the Valencia winger. Then again, with the Frenchman today insisting that both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri will remain at Arsenal this summer, he has nothing to worry about, right?
Personally, I would’ve love to seen Mata at the Emirates this season, but this seems highly unlikely now. Oh well, on to the next player.
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Dont understand all this about Mata I was at the signing of his new contract for Valencia in the town of Denia at the begining of the Year. When he said that he was happy to sign a new contract and that leaving spain was the last thing on his mind
Grade A stuff. I’m unquetosinbaly in your debt.