Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Juan Mata and Will Hughes Rumours

Everton are reportedly set to launch an ambitious bid for Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata this summer.

That’s according to Sam Wallace of the Daily Telegraph, who stated the Spanish playmaker has “no future” at Old Trafford with Jose Mourinho now in charge; the Portuguese sold Mata to United when he was at Chelsea.

Everton are said to have offered £20 million for the 28-year-old, who has previously worked under Toffees boss Ronald Koeman during their time together at Valencia. Wallace goes on to note “there is competition for his signature and the picture is not yet clear.”

Mata is a popular figure at United, having endeared himself to many with his personality and playing style. As Squawka Football noted here, the former Chelsea man has consistently found the back of the net for United since signing:

Under former manager Louis van Gaal he featured in every game of the 2015-16 season. Even so, there were plenty of times when Mata was used out of position, with regular stints on the flanks instead of in his best No. 10 position.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Mourinho will not use Mata in that role. According to Borussia Dortmund, their playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is on his way to Old Trafford, and it’s difficult to see the Spaniard getting many minutes with him at the club. Additionally, Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and even Zlatan Ibrahimovic can operate in that role off the striker.

At Everton you suspect the midfielder would be at the crux of the team’s attacking play. Elliott Bretland of the Daily Mail thinks it’d be a statement capture by the club:

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I'd consider Juan Mata to be one of the marquee signings Moshiri is after. Huge sign of intent and ambition if Everton can land him. #EFC

— Ell Bretland (@EllBretland) July 3, 2016"

It’s a move that could make sense for Mata too. It’d mean he wouldn’t have to uproot his family to move to a different part of the country, while he’d be a key player at a football club that’s seeking to make strides after the investment of shareholder Farhad Moshiri. His prospects on Merseyside certainly look better than in Manchester.

Will Hughes Linked

Clint Hughes/Getty Images

According to the Sun (h/t Goal) Mourinho wants to bring Derby County youngster Will Hughes to Old Trafford this summer.

It’s suggested the Championship team will want £7 million for the 21-year-old midfielder, who finished the 2015-16 season strongly after recovering from a significant injury layoff. It’s suggested that Mourinho is keen to bring in more homegrown players, having signed Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly already.

Derby have flirted with promotion for the past few seasons in the Championship, although they have not been able to make the final crucial step. This year they were eliminated by Hull City in the playoffs, although Hughes excelled in both legs; Bleacher Report’s Jack Lusby thinks a Premier League side should jump at the chance to sign the youngster:

Hughes’ development may have been set back because of the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered with on the opening day of last season, but he’s still a young player with a bright future ahead.

The youngster is one of the most technically gifted English prospects. Hughes is extremely comfortable with the ball in tight spaces, able to dart out of trouble with a burst of pace or a drop of the shoulder. It’d make sense for United, who have traditionally always looked to land the best British starlets, to go after him.

However, after a campaign that was disrupted so badly because of the injury, another year of consolidation and progression at Pride Park would surely be the sensible option for the youngster.