{"id":442502,"date":"2019-05-22T18:45:02","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T22:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=442502"},"modified":"2019-05-22T18:45:02","modified_gmt":"2019-05-22T22:45:02","slug":"juan-mata-summer-target-for-newcastle-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/05\/22\/juan-mata-summer-target-for-newcastle-united\/","title":{"rendered":"Juan Mata Summer Target for Newcastle United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Newcastle United<\/a> boss Rafa Benitez would be open to signing Juan Mata<\/a>, according to David Coverdale of The Sun.\u00a0<\/a>The midfielder’s contract at Manchester United<\/a> expires this summer.<\/p>\n

Newcastle United Look to Sign Juan Mata<\/a><\/h1>\n

A Free Transfer<\/h2>\n

Newcastle United could obtain Juan Mata on a free transfer, according to the Sun.<\/p>\n

Mata has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival. The midfielder has made only a handful of appearances since December.<\/p>\n

Reports in The Sun claim that Benitez is keen to resign his former Chelsea<\/a> playmaker but would need to go against club policy to do so.<\/p>\n

Benitez’s future is still undecided, with the Spaniard still in negotiations over a new contract at Newcastle United.\u00a0The former Liverpool<\/a> and Chelsea boss has asked for reforms over the club’s recruitment strategy and wage structure.<\/p>\n

The Toon have an average age of 27 and eight players aged over 26.<\/p>\n

If the Magpies want to seriously consider signing Mata, who earns \u00a3140,000-a-week, they would need to offer a competitive salary.<\/p>\n

Benitez, who managed Mata during the 2012\/13 season at Chelsea, believes the midfielder’s creative flair and experience would make him a perfect fit at St James’ Park.<\/p>\n

A Spanish Return<\/h2>\n

However, Mata has a host of offers from La Liga teams on the table. Although, the main stumbling block will be dealing with Mata’s high wages at United.<\/p>\n

The Sun reports that Mata’s former club, Valencia, is one team tracking the midfielder. Meanwhile, they also claim<\/a> that Barcelona<\/a> are also keeping tabs on the 31-year-old.<\/p>\n

Although, the midfielder would be forced to accept a huge pay-cut if he wants to move to the Nou Camp.<\/p>\n

Similarly, Spanish newspaper Sport<\/a> claims the outcast is a summer target for Atletico Madrid following a large number of exits this transfer window.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>