Manchester United Transfer News: Juan Mata Contract Talks Reported, Top Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly set to open contract talks with Juan Mata, with the midfielder said to be “desperate” to stay at the club.

That’s according to Daniel Cutts of the Sun, who suggested discussions have been held between the player and manager Jose Mourinho. As noted in the piece, there were doubts over Mata’s long-term future at Old Trafford when the Portuguese coach arrived, as he was sold to the Red Devils during their time together at Chelsea.

“There have been talks, but Juan is still in the dark over his future at the club,” said a source quoted by Cutts. “He is desperate to stay and likes his life in the Manchester area. It is all down to Jose's decision now. United don't want to leave this one rumbling though and are keen to sort it before the new year.”

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Mata is said to be earning £130,000-a-week at United, and his deal will expire in the summer of 2018. 

The Spain international returned to the starting lineup on Saturday for the Red Devils, scoring a splendid goal in the 4-1 win over Leicester City. Per WhoScored.com, since making the switch to Old Trafford, Mata has been a key attacking component:

Although the 28-year-old may not be defensively astute or brutishly powerful—qualities Mourinho has sought when building a squad in the past—United have looked a lot more fluid with him in the starting XI. As such, it wouldn’t be a great surprise if the manager was to put some more faith in the player.

The former Chelsea man can operate from the right flank or as an orthodox No. 10, but he’s so adept at finding spaces, linking the play and, as the aforementioned statistic shows, making a tangible impression in the final third. They’re qualities that any manager in the game should cherish.

Antoine Griezmann Discusses Summer Interest

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Antoine Griezmann’s decision to split from his agent will reportedly give Manchester United a boost in their attempts to sign the forward. The player has also revealed Paris Saint-Germain were interested in securing him in the summer.

“Yes, but as it was during Euros I told my agent I did not want to listen,” he said of the interest from PSG, per Le Parisien (h/t Samuel Lovett of the Independent). “I told him: 'I do not want you talking to me of Atletico or Paris–I want you to leave me in Clairefontaine [France's training camp].' But I know they were very interested.”

Lovett also noted that Griezmann, who is said to be “United’s top target for the 2017 summer transfer window,” may be more attainable for the Red Devils after he decided to leave his representative, too.

The France international has developed into one of the most exciting players in the world game, and after some wonderful form in the summer, he has started the La Liga season well, too, netting five goals already.

As noted by Squawka Football, 2016 has been a brilliant year for the 25-year-old:

However, he’s recently suggested he feels as though his immediate future will be with Atletico. “With [Diego] Simeone I am improving a lot,” he said after Sunday’s win over Deportivo la Coruna, per Kieran Canning of Agence France-Presse. “Now I am not thinking in anything other than Atleti. The plan is to...see in the new stadium.”

For the time being, Griezmann doesn’t need to depart the Vicente Calderon, as Atletico are challenging for the biggest honours on both the domestic and European front. The forward would bring another exhilarating edge to United’s attacking play, although prising him away from Madrid, especially if competition from PSG was to materialise, would be a big challenge.