Rumours: Manchester United to make an audacious bid for Chelsea playmaker

Juan Mata to Manchester United a possibility?

Manchester United are keen on making an audacious bid for Chelsea outcast Juan Mata, with the Daily Star reporting that David Moyes is set to make a £27 million bid for the midfielder. However, Chelsea are understood to be firmly against the idea of selling Mata to United unless they receive United striker Wayne Rooney in return, making the transfer very unlikely.

Mata has been out of the Chelsea side under new boss Jose Mourinho, despite being the stand out performer at the club last season. His inability to get a sustained run in the side has led to talk of an exit for the Spaniard, with United the latest side to be linked with a move for him.

However whilst Mata is out of favour, it is understood that Chelsea will block any cash moves for Mata from Premier League rivals. Any deal to take Mata to Old Trafford would have to involve Rooney, reigniting Chelsea’s summer interest in the striker.

Under pressure from fans at Old Trafford, Moyes is unlikely to sanction a January move away for his talismanic England international. However despite Chelsea’s insistence that Rooney would be a prerequisite of any deal, Moyes is reportedly set to test their resolve with a £27 million bid for Mata, whose agent has been sounded out about a move to Manchester by the club.

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The only Manchester United player to have created more Premier League chances than Mata (30) this season is Rooney (40), despite Mata starting just 11 of Chelsea’s 20 Premier League fixtures. Mata has created a chance every 28 minutes this season, whilst Rooney has created one every 36 minutes.