Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata could return to his native Spain on a free transfer in the summer, with Atletico Madrid rumoured to be weighing up a move.
The 30-year-old's deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and Mata is expected to move on as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims to overhaul the Red Devils' squad.
Spanish newspaper Sport report that Mata may return to La Liga, the competition in which he first made a name for himself with Valencia.
And it is believed that Atletico are currently leading the line of clubs looking to secure the World Cup winner's signature as Diego Simeone bids to bolster his options.
Mata and United have been in talks over extending the Spanish international's deal, but it is understood the midfielder is disappointed with the perceived preferential treatment colleagues Ashley Young and Phil Jones received in their own negotiations.
Champions League heavyweights Barcelona were also rumoured to be interested in signing Mata, but it now seems Atletico have jumped ahead of their La Liga rivals to the front of the queue.
If Mata does depart in the summer, it will bring an end to a five-and-a-half year spell at Old Trafford.
The midfielder was signed by David Moyes for what was then a club record fee of £37.1m in January 2014, penning an initial deal through to the summer of 2018.
During his time with the Red Devils, the European Championship winner helped his club side claim four trophies, including the Europa League in 2017.
However, the 30-year-old has this term struggled to have as much of an influence on games as he has done in previous campaigns.
And with his contract due to expire in the summer, it seems unlikely that the Red Devils will offer Mata a new deal to keep him at Old Trafford.
Sonbcdtz
60
no he can't leave just like that,they have to think of something else
Kilibaford
55
Let him go, he is so talented Juan Magician Mata Maestro Garcia The Genius. If he is not needed why wasting time? Hopefully he goes there, he will be back to Spain National team. Good lucky brother! Personally if you go, I will remember how you always receive and distribute passes and your dribbling skills and one two one two passes😩😩😩😩
lambckntz
36
I don't think the likes of mata, Sanchez, Lukaka, Fellani, Matic, Bailley, etc just decided one day to stop being top players, something must have gone wrong under mour to cause this, mour was sacked and Ole had immediate success what was done to ensure that the whole team was integrated in building the "New succes" that's why it was bound to end sooner or later 4 whatsoever reason u can't be sending the likes of Lukaku Sanchez and Martial in the last minutes of tyhe game, No!! If u think they that bad just let them fu*ckx go. I said this earlier United were carried away by the brilliance of their youngsters from academy, in as much as that is important a perfect blend with experience is what works. Rashford was good enough for United to let Rooney go Lingaard too but does not mean we allow the whole United on them, the results is what we see, United has enough money to buy just any player, why not attract the best to come give confidence and fluidity to the youngsters