Eastlands Becomes Etihad Stadium, Juan Mata Could Leave Spain

Manchester United recently signed a mega-deal with shirt sponsor AON that drew the envy of the world. However, their neighbours and arch rivals Manchester City seem to have gone another step ahead by signing a mega-deal with Etihad Airways.

It will see their Eastlands Stadium renamed as the Etihad Stadium. City announced the deal would run for 10 years and it could pocket the club around £120 million in total. Even though Manchester City did not officially announce this figure, many reports reveal this deal goes some way into overshadowing the £100 million deal Arsenal have with Emirates.

Manchester City could pocket around £10-12 million per year in this deal, which does not include the sum the club will receive from the shirt sponsorship with the same company. However, this vast sum of money does seem to have come with its fair share of problems as well.

Not only has it brought the attention of world media on Manchester City, but also the UEFA's prying eyes. UEFA rules clearly state a club cannot receive additional money in any way other than shirt sponsorship, TV deals and revenue from the sales of tickets.

The revenue from any possible stadium deal does not come under the regulation required to take part in the UEFA Champions League from 2013 onwards. UEFA could hold an investigation into this situation, as Manchester City's owners have strong links with Etihad Airways and many other Middle Eastern companies.

In other news, Juan Mata finally looks set to leave Valencia this summer after his father and agent confirmed the same. Valencia will be playing in the Champions League next season, but that is unlikely to prevent the young Spaniard from leaving the club. Mata has always been a player of interest for major clubs, but it is really in the last two years that he has risen to prominence in a great way.

Firstly, the World Cup 2010 victory with Spain established his credentials as a player who can perform at the very top level. He took it to another level in the U21 European Championships which recently concluded in Denmark.

As a result, clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are showing interest in him. However, they will be competing against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, who always seem to have the upper hand when it comes to signing the Spanish players. In Mata's case, though, Arsenal seem to be in a very strong position. The transfer rumours surrounding Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, along with the impatience of fans to see success, seem to have forced Arsene Wenger to finally think about dipping his hands into the pocket.

Given his success in the international stage of late, Mata could easily cost more than £20 million. The question remains if Mata will quit the La Liga for the Premier League, something that David Villa and the many other Spanish stars find difficult.