3) Juan Mata – Manchester United to Espanyol
Ever since Jose Mourinho was appointed at the helm of Manchester United, questions regarding Juan Mata's continued association with the club have increased in number. After all, we all remember the time Mourinho sold Mata just six months into his second spell as the manager of Chelsea.
The assumption that Mata would soon leave Old Trafford grew stronger with the recent signing of Armenian international, Henrikh Mkhitaryan. However, even after Mourinho's less than convincing statement about there being “space” for Mata at the club, it seems other clubs have not been left being in trying to sign the Spaniard. In fact, one of the rumours that surfaced this past week was that La Liga club Espanyol have reportedly shown an interest in the player and are willing to sign him should he fit into a stipulated budget for the club.
This move would see him play in his home country. This would, of course, come at a cost for Manchester United since Mata has been instrumental for quite a few wins in the previous season often setting up brilliant assists to add to the goal tally. The rumour, reported by Mirror UK, has not been followed up on after Mourinho's half-hearted statement regarding Mata.
