Juan Mata Reportedly Targeted by Barcelona, Arsenal as Free Agency Looms

Juan Mata's Manchester United contract expires in the summer, and Arsenal and Barcelona are reportedly two of the clubs interested in snapping him up.

According to Goal, the Blaugrana have been in contact with representatives of the Spanish playmaker and view him as a potential bargain if they can sign him for free.

Meanwhile, per John Cross in the Mirror, Arsenal are also interested in signing Mata for free, as their transfer policy is being restricted by a lack of funds.

Both Goal's report and Cross named Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain as other suitors for the 30-year-old.

The Arsenal link is understandable given Mata previously played under Gunners head coach Unai Emery at Valencia.

The north London club are also likely on the lookout for cheap purchases, as Emery recently admitted they can only make loan moves in the January transfer window.

Mata is an experienced player and would arguably be an asset to every club in football, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

He remains a remarkably creative presence, but his game time has become more and more limited at United:

Caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a preferred front three of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial, all of whom, unlike Mata, boast blistering pace. 

Mata has started only two of the six Premier League matches since the Norwegian succeeded Jose Mourinho in mid-December, and he was not playing regularly under the Portuguese, either.

If he is offered the chance of more game time elsewhere, there is a strong possibility Mata could leave Old Trafford.

United are reportedly still working on getting him signed to a new contract, though. Per Goal, they "remain hopeful" of persuading him to remain past the summer.