Arsenal & Man Utd Target Di Maria – Mata Could Head To Spain As Replacement

With the January transfer window now open for business clubs will be working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Real Madrid are linked with Juan Mata while Angel Di Maria could be off to Arsenal or Man Utd.

Real Madrid are keen on signing Chelsea outcast Juan Mata to replace unsettled attacker Angel Di Maria – who’s attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, according to the Express.

The report claims that Mata has been offered to both Real Madrid and Barcelona this month after dropping down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge this season.

Boss Jose Mourinho has never looked upon the Spaniard as a first team player since his arrival in the summer and the 25-year-old is due to hold crunch talks with Chelsea chiefs after reacting angrily to being substituted early in the second half against Southampton on New Year’s Day.

The Express claim that Carlo Ancelotti is keen on taking advantage of the players discontent in west London and wants Mata to replace Angel Di Maria in his Madrid squad, with the Argentinean growing increasingly unsettled at the Bernabeu.

Di Maria drew criticism for grabbing his crotch at the home supporters after being booed off the pitch during Madrid’s 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Monday night and his position at Real is becoming untenable after he claimed the media and fans are trying to drive him out of the club.

The newspaper suggests that Arsenal and Manchester United are both showing an interest in bringing the 25-year-old to the Premier League, but they could face stiff competition from Monaco who are ready to offer the winger a bumper pay packet to move to France.

Mourinho’s treatment of Mata has been questionable, particularly when you consider the Spaniard was voted as Chelsea’s player of the year for the two previous seasons. And with the World Cup just around the corner, his lack of playing time could force him to seek a move abroad.

If this report is accurate, then we could see Arsenal and United battle it out to sign Di Maria which would give Madrid the funds to sign Mata from Chelsea – although we’re still a long way from that actually happening.

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