West Ham United have enquired about the possibility of signing Juan Mata from Manchester United this summer, according to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.
New Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho sold Mata to Manchester United for £37.1m in 2014 and it looks as if the Portuguese manager could be set to show Mata the exit door once again.
West Ham are looking to strengthen in attack this season, with an attacking midfielder and a striker high on the priority list. Juan Mata is not expected to come cheap, and the initial enquiry for the player could end there as the Hammers will face competition from Mata’s former club Valencia.
The 28-year-old has often played out wide for Manchester United in a right-midfield position under Louis Van Gaal. Arguably, the Spaniard’s best position is behind the striker in the number 10 role. An attacking trio of Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and Juan Payet is certainly an attractive proposition for the Hammers as all three attackers have the potential to rotate in a variety of attacking positions.
The midfielder’s contract expires in 2018 so the Hammers may have to pay close to Mata’s £26m valuation if they are to tempt United into selling the former Chelsea star.
Mata has not made Spain’s Euro 2016 squad so in order to get back into Vicente Del Bosque’s plans he needs to be playing at a consistently high level.
Dimitri Payet has forced his way back into Didier Deschamps’ French squad after his impressive season with the Irons so Mata could be looking to make a similar impact if he is deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
