Atletico Madrid are lining up a January bid for Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, according to the Daily Mail.
Los Rojiblancos remain confident they can tempt the Spanish international into returning to his homeland after he was recently left out of Louis van Gaal’s side to make way for new signing Radamel Falcao.
The Dutchman is understood to be open to selling the former Chelsea player, who has scored eight times in 19 games since his move from Stamford Bridge at the beginning of the year.
However, the Spanish champions could face competition from the 26-year-old’s former club Valencia, who are keen to take him back to the Mestalla once the protracted negotiations over the club’s sale to Singapore businessman Peter Lim are complete.
