Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he like Chelsea’s Juan Mata, but thinks that the Blues would be unwilling to sell him to a Premiership rival.
There has been much speculation surrounding the Spanish international since the arrival of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge with many sources reporting that he and defender David Luiz could be up for sale.
Mata’s father who is also the agent for his son was at the Emirates last night to watch the Gunners second leg Champions League game against Fenerbahce adding to the speculation that Wenger was interested in signing the Chelsea midfielder.
“I like him,” said Wenger, who was beaten to his signature by Chelsea two years ago while Mata was still playing in Spain for Valencia.
“I watched the game last night and I’ve heard, like you, Juan Mata could be on the market. There is anyway in England a reluctance to sell to each other.”
After Chelsea’s no score draw at Old Trafford on Monday night Mourinho had this to say about Mata: “He is very important for me and very important for Chelsea.
Arsenal has come in from 16/1 to 2/1 to sign Juan Mata following sustained betting overnight. They’re now favourites, displacing Manchester United who has drifted out to 9/1.
